Obituary of Robert J. "Bob" Walsh

Robert J. “Bob” Walsh, 57, of Peabody, died suddenly Friday morning February 26, 2021 after being stricken at work. He was the beloved husband of the late Sharon L. (Belanger) Walsh. Born in Salem, he was the son of Elizabeth G. (Anketell) Walsh of Peabody and the late Martin J. Walsh. Bob was a lifelong resident of Peabody and a graduate of Peabody High School, class of 1981. Bob was a water treatment operator for the City of Peabody for the last 26 years. Additionally, he worked part-time as an operator at the Town of Rowley Water Treatment Plant. Bob was a dedicated worker and someone who took great pride in his job. He often said, “If you are not going to do it right, don’t do it at all,”- a motto he followed closely and tried to instill in all that he worked with. Bob would do whatever it took to get the job done. “Safety first” is something he would always say, although, he had his own ideas of what that meant. He treasured the friendships he made at work and often treated his co-workers as a second family. He will be sorely missed in both Peabody and Rowley as will his stories and crazy work adventures that he shared with his co-workers and his children. Aside from Coolidge Ave and Rowley Water Treatment Plant, Bob had two favorite places, his house in New Hampshire and Steve’s Shed. Whenever he got the chance, Bob was packing up his truck and heading North for a campfire, some Budweisers, a good meal, and the company of whomever wanted to join him. Everyone could hear him coming a mile away with the radio turned all the way up. Fall was his favorite time of year there and nothing stood in the way of his yearly Columbus Day Weekend trip with the guys. He loved every minute he spent in New Hampshire. Steve’s Shed was another one of Bob’s favorite places. Friday nights were for Brodie’s cheeseburgers and beers with Steve and John and a trip to the shed after. Amongst the chatter, they were usually all avidly watching the Boston Red Sox game, a team Bob was a huge fan of his entire life. Although his Shed nights became few and far between due to COVID, he always enjoyed his time spent there and the lifelong friendships he made. When Bob was not found at work or at his two favorite places, he was found spending time with his family and friends- something he loved the most. Nothing brought him more joy than pizza nights, holidays, and birthday celebrations at his house with his kids and grandkids, family cookouts with his siblings, nieces, and nephews, Tuesday and Wednesday night supper with his mother which sometimes came with a visit after to his beloved brother for a beer or two, his daily visit from his son and 3:30 P.M. daily phone call from his daughter, planting his annual garden with Savannah, and his favorite of all, babysitting his granddaughters on Fridays. It was hard to tell who loved Fridays more, Savannah and Paisley or Bob. Fridays will never be the same without him. He was truly loved and cherished by his whole family. His kids and granddaughters were his whole world as he was theirs. Bob had a heart of gold and was always willing to help anyone in any way that he could. He will be greatly missed but surely never forgotten. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Ryan Pothier and his son Timothy R. Walsh, all of Peabody, his siblings, Gene and Andrea Walsh of Marietta, GA, and Thomas and Mary Walsh of Peabody, Eileen and Donald Spence of Ipswich, Mary and Michael Skerry of Peabody, and Louise Chase of Hopedale. He is also survived by his cherished two grandchildren, Savannah and Paisley Pothier of Peabody, and by his nieces and nephews, Mike and Robyn Skerry, Pat and Joanne Skerry, Katie Skerry, Andrew Chase, Allison and Ryan White, Elizabeth Walsh, Erin Walsh, Lindsey Walsh, and Sean Walsh. Bob was predeceased by his brother Rev. Martin J. Walsh, Jr. Visiting hours will be held on Friday from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St, Peabody and his Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday at 10:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church, Lynn St, Peabody to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. All attendees are required to wear facial coverings and maintain social distancing. Burial will be in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to NSMC Cancer Walk / Sharon’s Spirit, C/O NSMC Development, 81 Highland Ave, Salem, MA 01970. To download form go to nsmcgiving@partners.org