Walsh, John (Jack)

Rosendale - John J. (Jack) Walsh, 86, of Rosendale, NY passed from this world to the next on Wednesday December 20, 2017 surrounded by his family and close friends. He was born November 22,1931 in Saint Albans, Queens to the late Thomas Walsh and Ellen Muldowney Walsh. He is survived by his brother Joe Walsh and was proceeded in death by his brothers Bobby, Tommy, Billy, Frank and his only sister Mary. He is also survived by the love of his life and his wife of 63 years, Luisa Walsh, his children John and wife Jean of Rosendale, Patrick and wife Penny of Rosendale, Tito and wife Carolyn of Stone Ridge, William of Taiwan, Joseph of Rifton, Patricia of Bloomington, Robert of California, Ken and wife Kim of Rosendale in addition to his 20 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. For most of his life Jack was a self employed and seld taught sign painter before working at Stewart Airport where he worked until his retirement. After his retirement he went to Puerto Rico, where his wife was born and where they first met. While in Puerto Rico Jack became well known and respected for hi...[more]

View Full Online Obituary and Tributes

arvings. Jack won more wood carving competitions in 10 years than anyone ever, before or since. He is the first non Puerto Rican to have his work displayed in the welcome center of the Puerto Rican Board of Tourism when you first enter the country. His work is displayed in many churches and in numerous businesses and as sought after by many collectors and other artists. Even today the work of Jack "El Gringo" Walsh is displayed all over the country he called his second home. Jack served his country in the US Army, he was a commissioner for the Rosendale Water District, and a volunteer fireman with the Rosendale Fire Department. He was also an active member of St. Peter's Church in Rosendale for many years. Jack was a man defined by not what he did, but by who he was. He was a man who cared for his wife for 20 years after she became ill. He was a man that was proud of his Irish heritage as he was of his 8 children and numerous grandchildren. His long white beard and belly allowed him to take great pleasure filling in for Santa Claus at the Brookside School, UARC, and when ever needed in our community. He was honorable and did many jobs on a handshake, not a contract. He was loyal , maintaining some friendships for 60 plus years. He was hard working, working from the time he was 8 to help support his family during the depression, to cutting his own grass and firewood until he was 85. He was honest with you if you wanted to hear it or not. He accomplished great things with little education. His house was open to all, some stayed overnight, some stayed for years. He was thick headed, opinionated and stubborn, but that pales in comparison to his generosity, warmth, sense of humor, character and his efforts to be a friend to all. His larger than life personality will be missed by all who knew him. He did not leave a reputation - he left a legacy. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 AM Saturday January 6, 2018 at St. Peter's Church in Rosendale. Rev. Edmund Burke will officiate. Visitation for family and friends will be 4 to 7 PM Friday Jan. 5 at the George J. Moylan Funeral Home Inc., 2053 Route 32, Rosendale. The family suggest memorial donations to the Rosendale Fire Dept., a local veterans group, the Ancient Order of Hibernians or to Rifton Equipment at the Woodcrest Bruderhof.

To read the full obituary, please click here: http://www.gjmoylanfuneralhome.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=4500546&fh_id=13795