[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 51 (Thursday, March 18, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E274]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       OBITUARY: ARTHUR F. WALSH

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM COLE

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 18, 2021

  Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, Arthur ``Art'' Francis Walsh passed away 
early in the morning of February 24, 2021 in Salisbury, MD. Art was a 
good man, a loving husband, a loyal father, who loved his family and 
served his country and community. He had a great career. He enjoyed 
life and a good joke. He made people laugh; enjoyed golf, children, and 
pets; and had friendships that lasted his entire life. He loved and was 
loved. His final days were difficult, but he slipped into the arms of 
God peacefully in his sleep and we are thankful.
  Art was born on April 13, 1942, to Marion Veronica Walsh (nee 
Kiernan), a mother of six, and Howard John Walsh Sr., a Deputy Sheriff 
and Detective with the New York Police Department, in the South Bronx 
neighborhood of New York, NY.
  He often shared memories of his carefree days of his youth playing 
stickball and rambling around the neighborhood with his siblings and 
hundreds of other Irish Catholics kids, walking home for lunch from 
P.S. 35, watching baseball at nearby Yankee Stadium and vexing the 
clergy of St. Angela's School and Powell Memorial Academy.
  Art enlisted in the Marine Corps, trained at Paris Island, SC, then 
served in the Marine barracks at 8th and I Streets in Washington, DC, 
where he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal and 
was selected for the Marching Twenty-Four unit, performing silent 
precision exhibition drills. As a member of the Marine Corps Honor 
Guard, Art served presidential support duty for President John F. 
Kennedy.
  Art then completed six years in the Marine Reserves and joined the 
New York Telephone Company, where he built a 30-year career, rising 
from an installer of rotary phones to a regional manager overseeing 
fiber optic cable and high-speed internet.
  With his first wife, Barbara, Art enjoyed many nights bowling, 
gathering with friends and having fun throughout McLean Avenue in 
Yonkers and all over Manhattan. Together, they moved to the mountains 
of Ringwood, NJ. He participated in that community as a member of the 
Knights of Columbus, local Republican politics, the Ringwood Board of 
Health and St. Catherine's Parish. His home and pool offered summers 
away from the city for his sister-in-law Georgann, nieces Stephanie and 
Donna and nearly nephew Eddie. He loved people and wanted to help 
improve their quality of life. Art's large family circle included step-
nieces, ex-sister-in-laws, childrens' friends, and friends held as 
family.
  Art was a wonderful father to Brian and Andrea and dearly loved 
sister-in-law Georgann. He played, explored the woods and laughed. He 
hosted swim lessons, went to little league games and daddy-daughter 
dances. He made it possible for each, plus six step-grandchildren, to 
graduate college, pursue successful careers and begin families of their 
own. He taught us to help others, to apply our capable hands to any 
problem we faced, to work hard, listen, look others in the eye and give 
respect to all the people you encounter in this world.
  Art was blessed to find great happiness in retirement with his wife 
Carole Benner Walsh, moving to the Eastern Shore of MD, where they 
enjoyed 20 years of fun. Together, Art and Carole traveled, played golf 
and celebrated with friends and enjoyed the beaches of Maryland, their 
dog Charlie, and life as grandparents to their expanded family.
  Many thanks go to the care providers at Lakeside at Mallard Landing 
for their kindness, care and loyalty throughout the last two difficult 
years.
  So, raise a glass, say a prayer and give thanks to a good man, a 
Marine, a son, a brother, a father, a husband, a grandfather, a friend 
. . . to a life well lived . . . and, to quote Art, ``keep smilin''.
  Art is survived by his wife Carole Benner Walsh; children Brian O. 
Walsh (and Natasha) and Andrea Walsh Silva (and Nicholas); his sister-
in-law Georgann Russo, step-children Jeffrey D. Benner (and Rochelle) 
and Cheryl Oursler (and George), and his siblings Howard Jr., Virginia, 
and Maureen Walsh and was predeceased by siblings Patrick and Loraine. 
Numerous multigenerational nieces and nephews; and his four 
grandchildren and six step-grandchildren that brought him great joy 
will sadly miss him.

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