William M. Walsh,

William 'Bill' M. Walsh, Jr., 48, of Columbia, loving husband of over 18 years to Penny A. (Martin) Walsh, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday (May 23, 2010) at Hartford Hospital. Bill was born in Hartford on April 13, 1962, a son of Joanne (Gross) Walsh of Pinehurst, NC and the late William M. Walsh, Sr. and grew up in Glastonbury where he attended schools and graduated from Glastonbury High School, Class of 1980. He later graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University, Class of 1984, and has been employed for 25 years by Aetna Insurance Company both in Middletown and Hartford as a Systems Programmer. Bill resided in East Hartford for 10 years prior to moving to Columbia Lake over 11 years ago, where he has enjoyed sail boating and fishing. Bill was an active member of the Columbia Lions Club where he was on the present Board of Directors and a Past President. He was also a member of the Columbia Lake Association and was their most recent past President. A drummer for most of his life, Bill enjoyed listening to acoustic and jazz music. Along with his beloved wife, Penny, and mother, Joanne, Bill is survived by his adored daughter, Bethany Marie Walsh at home in Columbia; his sister, Judy L. Blasko and her husband, Barry, of Seven Lakes, NC; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert and Dorothy (Julian) Martin of East Hartford; his sister-in-law, Brenda Pliszka and her husband, Richard, of East Hartford; two nieces; two nephews; many dear friends and co-workers. Funeral services will be Friday (May 28, 2010) at 10 a.m. at the D'Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. Burial will follow at Columbia West Street Burying Grounds, Lake Road, Columbia. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel on Thursday (May 27th) from 4-7:30 p.m. Memorial contributions in Bill's memory may be made to the Bethany M. Walsh Educational Fund, care of NewAlliance Bank, 164 Middletown Road, P.O. Box 131, Columbia, CT 06237. For any on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com