Dr. Paul F. Walsh, 80 of New Bedford, passed away Wednesday, September 1, 2004 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston after a brief illness.
Dr. Walsh was born in New Bedford, January 14, 1924, son of the late Arthur F. and Alice (Kiernan) Walsh. He attended local public schools. While at New Bedford High School he was an All-American tailback who captained the Whalers to the State Championship in 1941. He received a football scholarship to Georgetown University where he starred until World War II interrupted. He was graduated from Georgetown University and Georgetown University Dental School before entering the Navy in 1948.
Returning to New Bedford, "Doc" Walsh practiced dentistry for twenty-five years. However his real love was politics. Elected to the New Bedford School Committee in 1952, Dr. Walsh served a record 36 years. He never lost an election and was the perennial top-vote-getter in the city.
Doc was appointed Chairman of the State Racing Commission by Governor Francis Sargent in 1974 and served until 1982 when Governor Ed King appointed him to be the Clerk-Magistrate of the Wareham District Court. Doc Walsh was a confidant of governors, senators, congressmen and mayors (and at least one district attorney) but personified the quotation "to walk with kings and not lose the common touch."
Doc was an avid golfer and a 45 year member of the Country Club of New Bedford. His charitable and civic work were prolific and quiet. At age 80, just weeks before his death, he agreed to serve on the Steamship Authority Advisory Council having been appointed by Mayor Frederick Kalisz.
He received many awards and commendations; he was the Veterans Man of the Year in 1994 and the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Person of the Year in 2004 . However the honor of which he was most proud was the fact that the New Bedford High football field where he had enjoyed his glory days carrying the football, was renamed in his honor as the Walsh Athletic Field.
Dr. Walsh leaves behind his wife, Patricia M. (Maloney) Walsh; two sons, William P. Walsh and Bristol County District Attorney Paul F. Walsh, Jr., both of New Bedford; two daughters, Anne Folino of Buzzards Bay and Alice Kinkead of Montclair, New Jersey; a brother, Arthur B. Walsh; nine grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Dr. William P. Walsh.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New BedfordSaturday, September 4, 2004 at 8 AM.Funeral Mass at St. Lawrence Church, 565 County St., New Bedford at 9 AM.Relatives and friends are invited to attend.Visiting hours will be on Friday, September 3, 2004 from 4-8 PM. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the New Bedford Boys and Girls Club, 166 Jenney St., New Bedford, MA 02740.