Hudson – Francis J. Walsh, 80, of Hudson, died Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Barbara (Williams) Walsh.
Francis was born in Norwood, son of the late William E. and Eileen (Keleher) Walsh. He resided in Waltham for many years before moving to Hudson and was a graduate of the Watertown Arsenal Apprentice School. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserve in Communications and worked for several local companies as a manufacturing engineer retiring in 2002 as a sales engineer.
He was a member of Saint Michael's Parish in Hudson, where he was a Eucharistic Minister and member of the Lifeteen Ministry. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Irish Heritage Club of Fitchburg.
In his youth, Francis liked fishing and repairing cars with his dad. As a teenager, he was an avid skier and often reminisced about his trips on the Snow Train from Boston to North Conway, N.H. He also spent time as a groundskeeper at Brave's Field.
He enjoyed coaching youth sports, including CYO Basketball in Waltham, Hudson Youth Hockey and Baseball, and Fitchburg Youth Hockey. Francis truly loved his family and found his greatest joy was spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and later his great grandchildren. He will be truly missed by all.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his children, Francis Walsh Jr. and his wife Barbara of Sutton, Barbara Walsh of Hudson, John Walsh and his wife Laura of Hudson, Marianne Cormier, wife of the late Richard Cormier of Leominster, Robert Walsh and his wife Pamela of Tuscarora, MD, Carolyn Rafus and her husband William of Millville, and Steven Walsh and his wife Storie of Hudson. He is also survived by his siblings, William Walsh of Salem, NH, John Walsh of Waltham, Robert Walsh of Cumberland, ME, Eileen MacRae of Billerica, Paul Walsh of Watertown; his 18 loving grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and his godchildren. He was the brother of the late Richard Walsh.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, Feb. 23, at 9:00 a.m., in Saint Michael's Church, 21 Manning St., Hudson. Burial will follow in Saint Michael's Cemetery, Hudson. Family and friends may attend calling hours Friday, Feb. 22, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Tighe-Hamilton Funeral Home, 50 Central St.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Francis be made to the Covenant House, 460 W. 41st St., New York, NY 10036.
