Edward J. Walsh Jr.

Eddie Walsh passed away peacefully on Tuesday July 18th, despite a very courageous effort over the last few months. Dad is pre-deceased by his wife Loretta (Carey), to whom he was married for over 59 years. He is survived by his five children – Thomas (Andree), Terence (Anne), Mary Kay McHale, Edward (Ciara) and Timothy (Kathleen). In addition, he and Mom have eleven grandchildren – Kaelin, Kierstin, Aidan, Erin, Terence, Eoghan, Alexandra, Madeleine, Cian, Bradley and Séamus.

Dad and his identical twin brother, Thomas, were born to Edward and Charlotte (Nugent) in Jackson Heights, Queens on January 22nd 1934.  Dad and Tom, along with their accomplices, attended Blessed Sacrament School. They avoided severe punishment from the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart and graduated to Brooklyn Prep on what we have been led to believe was a football scholarship that they never grew large enough to fulfill. Tom and Dad’s paths took shape at Brooklyn Prep with Dad moving on to Fordham University, by decree, and Tom joining the Jesuit Seminary at St. Andrews on the Hudson. At Fordham, Dad quickly aligned with a new group of conspirators who would become some of his closest friends for the rest of his life. From there, Dad went on to Columbia University Law School with classmates like Ruth Bader, who had better grades.

Tragically, while Dad was in school, his brother Tom succumbed to polio meningitis while on mission in Cebu City, Philippines. He didn’t speak of this often, but it’s clear that Tom’s sudden passing strengthened Dad’s devotion to the Church and the Jesuits, in particular. We are certain that Uncle Tom has had a watchful eye over Dad and the entire family forever.

While in Columbia, Mom, who was dedicated to her own studies at the time, spurned Dad’s advances on at least one occasion. However, Dad would be fulfilling his commitment to the Air Force on the west coast and Mom thought that California sounded nice, so they were married on February 7th 1959 at Resurrection Ascension Church in Rego Park. After a few years and the birth of one son, Thomas, they returned to New York because Dad had to get a job.

With one suit and some good luck, Dad landed a job as an associate at Hays, St. John, Abramson and Heilbron. He quickly proved his value and allegiance to his mentors and became one of the youngest partners at the firm. He established himself as a reliable and trusted counsel to several esteemed clients, both individuals and corporations. Companies like Dunhill, Wolford, Rothmans, renowned author and founder of the Fund for Animals, Cleveland Amory relied heavily on Dad to help them navigate legal and personal business. Those relationships set the base for a distinguished legal career which saw Dad preside over several notable estates and foundations until his death this week. His work ethic, dependability, candor and confidence made Dad admired and respected by colleagues, friends and counterparts for over 65 years.

As Dad established himself, he and Mom moved to Malverne in the early 60’s and started to raise their family, first on East Dover Street and ultimately Home Street for the past 53 years. They immediately joined Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and seamlessly aligned with another band of characters with children of similar age of their own. To their good fortune, Maier’s Brick Café came into its own around the same time, giving our family and friends a local venue to celebrate. Nightly. 

As the children grew and life expanded, Mom and Dad added a home in Point Lookout, New York. This would become the gathering place for family, friends and wayward youth that they dreamt of for us.  

 Dad had a welcoming spirit and we can only hope to carry on that same tradition.