[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 60 (Thursday, May 5, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E824]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    REMEMBERING AND HONORING THE LIFE OF DEACON MAURICE JOSEPH WALSH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 5, 2011

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr Speaker, I rise today to mourn the passing and honor 
the life of Deacon Maurice Joseph Walsh of Niantic, Connecticut. Deacon 
Walsh passed away on April 21, 2011 surrounded by his family at his 
home.
  Maurice, or Moe as he was known to friends, lived a life replete with 
service to his country, church, and community. Ordained in the first 
Permanent Diaconate class in New England by Archbishop John F. Whealon, 
he served several parishes including the St. Agnes Parish in Niantic. 
He was a member of the 745th AAA Gun Battalion of West Hartford's U.S. 
Army Reserves, where he achieved the rank of Sergeant.
  A student of banking at The University of Chicago and Williams 
College, Maurice worked at the Connecticut Bank and Trust Company for 
35 years and eventually went on to start a family businesses with his 
sons--Maurice J. Walsh and Sons Real Estate Appraisals. Successful and 
industrious in his profession, he always found time to give back to a 
variety of causes. He was an active member of the Tinker Turner 
American Legion Post 128, Catholic Inter-Racial Council, and was a 4th 
Degree Knight of Columbus.
  When he finally retired from the family business, Maurice saw it as 
an opportunity to give more. He took on a larger role as a Permanent 
Deacon and continued his tradition of broad, community-oriented 
service. He was well known for regular trips to Niantic's Bridebrook 
Rehabilitation Center where he and a group of volunteers he assembled 
would spend time with and provide spiritual guidance to its residents.
  People like Deacon Walsh lived in the service of others. From a 
relatively young age, he went to great lengths to provide comfort and 
guidance to people in need of personal, civic, and spiritual help and 
continued this service through the age of 80. His impact in eastern 
Connecticut is unquantifiable. My thoughts and prayers go out to the 
Walsh family. He leaves behind his three sons Damien, Jeffrey, and 
Daniel as well as his loving wife Claire. Maurice will be dearly missed 
by his family, friends, and the countless people he served throughout 
his life.

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