Obituary for Francis J. "Frank" Walsh
A life well-lived came to an end on May 30, 2020 when Francis J. Walsh was called home to Heaven. Frank, as he was known throughout his life, was born on December 28, 1932 at Margaret Hague Maternity Hospital in Jersey City. The son of William Walsh and Margaret (nee Carroll), his family moved when he was a young man to Dumont, New Jersey. After graduating from Dumont High School, he attended Seton Hall University, until his desire to serve his country pulled him away. He enlisted in the United States Air Force, and received training at Oklahoma A&M Stillwater. Upon completing training, he was sent to Korea, where he spent 11 months at Suwon Airfield, staying out of trouble and reading the Sporting News sent from home each week. At the end of his overseas duty, he took a troop transport to San Francisco and hitched his way home. After discharge in June of 1955 from McGuire AFB, he proposed to the love of his life, Mary Louise Stanley, from Elizabeth, New Jersey. They were married September 8, 1956 at St. Genevieve’s R.C. Church in the Elmora section of Elizabeth.
Frank and Mary Lou raised five children together. They lived for a time in the Fords section of Woodbridge, before deciding they wanted their children to grow up in Westfield, where they moved in 1972. Frank made his living in the trucking industry, working his way up from the night shift as a loading dock supervisor, to eventually becoming a regional manager for many of the large carriers during the heyday of the common carrier. His employers included Time D-C, Branch Motor Express, and Leaseway Transportation. He retired in 1992, and realized his lifelong dream of retiring to the Jersey Shore. Frank and Mary Lou relocated to Spring Lake, where he remained the rest of his life.
Mary Lou predeceased him in 2015. He spent the last five years missing her terribly, passing time by visiting his nine grandchildren, tending his garden, and visiting his friend, Patrick, at St. Stephen’s Green in Spring Lake Heights for lunch, and perhaps an occasional glass of red wine.
Frank absolutely loved life. He and Mary Lou, in addition to raising five children, travelled the world. Although they like to travel anywhere, their favorite location was the south seacoast of Maine. They had many dear friends they enjoyed socializing with, including a lifelong group of friends that together dubbed themselves ‘The Ultimates’. Frank also loved sports. Growing up, he rooted for the Giants in both baseball and football. Together with his twin brothers, Bob and Bill, he maintained season tickets to the Giants football team since 1959. Frank also spent his time handicapping thoroughbred horses. Although not a big gambler, he loved the challenge of picking a winner. His family would tease him that we were going to spread his ashes 1/8th of a mile from the finish line, since that was where most of his horses stopped running. In truth, though, he was pretty good at picking winners and loved spending a Saturday afternoon at Monmouth Park with, as he used to say, all the other Damon Runyon characters. When he was younger, he was involved in the Knights of Columbus, becoming a Fourth Degree Knight. He was a devout Catholic and a communicant of St. Catherine and St Margaret Parish in Spring Lake.
Frank leaves behind brothers, Bob and his wife Felice, of Ocean Township, and Bill and his wife Peggy, of River Vale as well as three children, Kathleen Grace Walsh, Esq. of Woodbridge, Virginia, The Hon. Thomas Joseph Walsh, J.S.C. and his wife Diane, of Westfield, and Carol Ann Walsh of St. Pete Beach, Florida. His sons, Peter Andrew Walsh, and James Henry Walsh (who was lost on September 11, 2001), also predeceased him. His daughter in law Kate Walsh Calton of Tampa, Florida also survives him. Finally, his beloved grandchildren, Mark, Conner, Kate, Tommy, Taylor, Michael, Morgan, Caroline and Fiona will all cherish the memory of their Pop Pop.
Due to the pandemic, no arrangements can be made at this time. He will be laid to rest with Mary Lou at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown. The family looks forward to a time when we can gather for a Mass to celebrate his life, and a big party after. Godspeed, Dad.
Frank and Mary Lou raised five children together. They lived for a time in the Fords section of Woodbridge, before deciding they wanted their children to grow up in Westfield, where they moved in 1972. Frank made his living in the trucking industry, working his way up from the night shift as a loading dock supervisor, to eventually becoming a regional manager for many of the large carriers during the heyday of the common carrier. His employers included Time D-C, Branch Motor Express, and Leaseway Transportation. He retired in 1992, and realized his lifelong dream of retiring to the Jersey Shore. Frank and Mary Lou relocated to Spring Lake, where he remained the rest of his life.
Mary Lou predeceased him in 2015. He spent the last five years missing her terribly, passing time by visiting his nine grandchildren, tending his garden, and visiting his friend, Patrick, at St. Stephen’s Green in Spring Lake Heights for lunch, and perhaps an occasional glass of red wine.
Frank absolutely loved life. He and Mary Lou, in addition to raising five children, travelled the world. Although they like to travel anywhere, their favorite location was the south seacoast of Maine. They had many dear friends they enjoyed socializing with, including a lifelong group of friends that together dubbed themselves ‘The Ultimates’. Frank also loved sports. Growing up, he rooted for the Giants in both baseball and football. Together with his twin brothers, Bob and Bill, he maintained season tickets to the Giants football team since 1959. Frank also spent his time handicapping thoroughbred horses. Although not a big gambler, he loved the challenge of picking a winner. His family would tease him that we were going to spread his ashes 1/8th of a mile from the finish line, since that was where most of his horses stopped running. In truth, though, he was pretty good at picking winners and loved spending a Saturday afternoon at Monmouth Park with, as he used to say, all the other Damon Runyon characters. When he was younger, he was involved in the Knights of Columbus, becoming a Fourth Degree Knight. He was a devout Catholic and a communicant of St. Catherine and St Margaret Parish in Spring Lake.
Frank leaves behind brothers, Bob and his wife Felice, of Ocean Township, and Bill and his wife Peggy, of River Vale as well as three children, Kathleen Grace Walsh, Esq. of Woodbridge, Virginia, The Hon. Thomas Joseph Walsh, J.S.C. and his wife Diane, of Westfield, and Carol Ann Walsh of St. Pete Beach, Florida. His sons, Peter Andrew Walsh, and James Henry Walsh (who was lost on September 11, 2001), also predeceased him. His daughter in law Kate Walsh Calton of Tampa, Florida also survives him. Finally, his beloved grandchildren, Mark, Conner, Kate, Tommy, Taylor, Michael, Morgan, Caroline and Fiona will all cherish the memory of their Pop Pop.
Due to the pandemic, no arrangements can be made at this time. He will be laid to rest with Mary Lou at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown. The family looks forward to a time when we can gather for a Mass to celebrate his life, and a big party after. Godspeed, Dad.