Obituary of Deacon Martin J. Walsh, Esq.

Deacon Martin J. Walsh, Esq., 85, of Peabody died peacefully on Saturday, April 12, 2008, at his home with his family at his side. He was the husband of Elizabeth G. “Bess” (Anketell) Walsh. Born on August 21, 1922 in Peabody, MA, the son of the late Patrick F. and Johanna (Mahoney) Walsh, Deacon Walsh grew up in Peabody. He attended St. John’s Grammar School, graduated from Peabody High School in 1939 and Salem Commercial in 1941. Deacon Walsh began his working career as an accountant at Verza Tanning Co. in Peabody. In 1943, he enlisted into the U.S. Army Air Corps and served as a Staff Sergeant with the 1345th Army Air Force Base Unit and saw battle in the Asiatic Pacific Theaters of Operation. He received his honorable discharge on February 10, 1946. He returned to work and was employed in many capacities during his 38 years at United Shoe Machinery Corporation in Beverly until his retirement in 1983. During his tenure at USM, he also served as President of the Quarter Century Club. While working and raising his family, he pursued his education receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from Boston College in 1954 and his Juris Doctor Degree from Suffolk Law School in 1970. Following that, he studied to become a permanent Deacon from 1975 to 1977 and has served as Deacon at St. Ann’s Church in Peabody for 31 years. His last day at St. Ann’s was on Saturday, March 5, 2008. Martin enjoyed traveling, photography, golfing, reading and spending time with his family. In addition to his wife with whom he shared 61 years of marriage, he is survived by his children and their spouses, Eileen W. and J. Donald Spence of Ipswich, Louise W. and Benjamin Chase of Sutton, Eugene F. and Andrea Walsh of Marietta, GA, Mary E. and Michael Skerry, Thomas P. and Mary Walsh and Robert J. Walsh all of Peabody; 3 sisters, Helen Kolago of Avon CT, Teresa Kilfoyle and Joan Moquin of Peabody; his grandchildren, Michael and Robyn, Patrick and Joanne, Katie, Andrew, Allison, Erin, Lindsey, Elizabeth, Sean, Kelly and Timothy and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son Rev. Martin J. Walsh, Jr., daughter-in-law Sharon L. Walsh and his siblings Francis and David Walsh. Deacon Walsh will be received by his fellow priests, deacons and the community at St. Ann’s Church, 140 Lynn St., Peabody on Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. where he will lay in State from 4 to 8 p.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 18, 2008 at 10 a.m. in St. Ann's Church, 140 Lynn St., Peabody. Burial will be at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Hospice of the North Shore, 10 Elm St., Danvers, MA 01923 or St. Ann’s Memorial Fund, 136 Lynn St., Peabody, MA 01960.