Lawrence J Walsh

Lawrence J. Walsh (Larry)

Larry died peacefully, in his sleep, on August 15, 2025. His father also passed away on the Feast of the Assumption 51 years ago. Dad’s body was failing but he never lost his mind or sense of humor. As we all heard, if he knew he was going to live this long, he would have taken better care of himself. When asked by anyone about how he felt, he told them that he didn’t buy green bananas.

Larry was born on October 31,1926 to Agnes and Joseph Walsh. He will be remembered as a loving father and grandfather, a wonderful friend, an organizer and a devout Catholic who had a special devotion to the Rosary.

Larry was a proud graduate of St Vincent High School and in 1944 enlisted in the US Navy. At the end of World War II, he attended the University of Akron, where he met his wife Margaret (Jean) Maloney. They were married in 1952. Jean predeceased him in 2005.

Larry leaves behind, his children, Linda Hart (Pat), Pat Fimmen (Tom), Tim (Christie), Jim (Betsie), Tom (Dave VanHoose), and Mary Nervo, 15 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren.

Larry was blessed with good health and lived life to the fullest. He graduated from Akron University Law School in 1955 and was appointed Clerk of the Akron Municipal Court in 1957. He loved his job as Clerk and held that job from 1957-1990 when he retired. Many of his employees became lifelong friends. He loved campaigning, partying, laughing and telling jokes. He often had nicknames for some of his favorite friends and for family members whom he wanted to tease.

Larry also loved to travel. The whole family took many wonderful camping vacations, going out west, visiting National and state parks around the country, and taking quick weekend trips to Cook’s Forest and other nearby parks. After a long road trip each year, with the trailer, the family would head to Caseville, Michigan, where he would leave Jean to relax with the six kids, head back to work in Akron and then return to camp on the weekends. He and Jean always did a February trip to Florida, taking the preschool children and having his mother babysit for the rest of the children.

Larry also never missed an opportunity to be with his friends. He loved to party and give parties. He scolded those who left any parties early by singing his Party Pooper song. He loved planning St. Vincent High School reunions, Christmas Parties, his Ox Roasts/Steak Roasts, Fish Fries and Corn Roasts. As he was dying, he planned his Going Away Party.

He loved farming. With Joe Harp, he grew corn, tomatoes and more vegetables than any family could eat, freeze or can. He raised a few cows. Stephanie and Clyde were the first and he taped their baby pictures on the freezer. Mary refused to eat meat that year.

In 1981, Larry and Jean bought a trailer at the Catawba Point Association and started spending weekends and then, after retirement, spending as much time there as they could. He loved his friends at Catawba and loved his fishing buddies. Lots of perch and walleye were enjoyed by friends and family. A few years before he died, he bought a new, beautiful Park Model trailer for his children’s families to share. He called it his “Going Away Present”. When the Hospice nurse asked him what he missed most as he aged, he told her that he missed going to Catawba.

Many thanks to the staff at the Village of St. Edward, where Larry lived in Assisted Living for a little over a year. Fr. Sal provided Wednesday Communion, and many smiles and blessings as Larry lost his strength. Special thanks to his aides, Rachel and his “Lashes”, AKA Sharon, who always took the time to talk to him and provided especially compassionate care. Thanks to his Hospice nurse, Jessica, whom he immediately loved because she raised goats.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Sebastian Church on Friday, August 22nd at 11am with a Visitation starting before Mass at 10 am.

All are welcome to join the family for his burial with military honors at Western Reserve Cemetery. A luncheon and “Boston Coolers” will follow at Rawiga Golf Course. As at every one of Larry’s parties, kielbasa and sauerkraut will also be served.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, St Sebastian Parish Foundation, or Fr. Sal’s Holy Ghost Ukranian Catholic Church

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