Bernard Edward Walsh

He met Nina Lalli, the love of his life in Philadelphia when they were both 17 and married her on the same day of his Naval Academy graduation, June 6, 1962. They were joyfully married until Nina passed away November 20th, 2020.

He and Nina moved to Milton, FL for his flight training where their first son, Shawn, was born in 1963. Barney became a Navy P-2 Neptune pilot after his initial flight training in Pensacola. In 1967, his second son, Bradley, was born in Alameda, California.

During the Vietnam war, he was stationed in Nakhom Phanom air base in Northern Thailand and flew secret missions over the Ho Chi Minh trail dropping listening devices along the trail, to detect the advancing Viet Cong. He was in squadron VO-67, nicknamed the “Ghost Squadron” for their clandestine activities. Barney and all crew were shot down February 27, 1968, while on a mission over Laos, and he and 6 other of the 9-man crew were rescued the next day. Captain Paul L. Milius was the plane commander, he kept the plane flying while the crew bailed out. There is a Navy Destroyer named for him in tribute of his heroic actions, the USS Milius. His actions were appreciated and remembered by the Walsh family for all the years following. Barney received a Purple Heart medal for his injuries.

After Vietnam, Barney was a Navy flight instructor in Milton, Florida.

While teaching pilots, he was earning his MBA from UWF. Later, as a civilian and in the Navy Reserves, he worked for CNET (Chief of Naval Education and Training) in Pensacola and was an adjunct instructor of economics at UWF.

In 1973 he purchased a 17’ boat while in Pensacola on a fellowship from the Florida University system and took the family on fishing trips 2-3X a week for years. There were many adventures on the boat; we all learned to water ski, fish and pilot a small boat expertly. In 1977, Barney and Nina were blessed with a daughter, Nicia. Proving to us older kids that love doesn’t fade away over time.

Barney achieved the rank of Navy Captain, and went on active duty again in 1987, where he served in Washington D.C., arranging defense and training purchases with Saudi Arabia, for 5 years. They came back to Pensacola afterwards, and eventually moved into Azalea Trace, where they enjoyed the fellowship, dinners, and dancing. (LOTS of dancing for Barney.)

He considered himself in the Navy, regular or reserves, from high school until the month he died. We asked him on July 4, 2025 “How long were you in the Navy Reserves, Dad?” he answered, “I’M STILL IN!”

Barney stayed active his entire life, physically and mentally. He was a runner since 1981, active in the Pensacola Runner’s Association, and competed in over 300 races. As he aged, (70+) he especially enjoyed the thinning competition in his age groups, saying “If ____ is there, I won’t win, but maybe he won’t go.” This led to him finishing 1st or 2nd in his age group often. He also had a passion for local theater and performed many supporting roles in Pensacola Little Theater plays.

Barney and Nina had an incredible bond and were rarely apart. They were proud to have put all three children through college. We children are grateful for the fun times and life lessons. They are both missed tremendously.

Barney and Nina are survived by their three children, Shawn, Brad, and Nicia, and grandchildren Lena, Claire, Chloe and Nina.

A memorial service for Bernard (and Nina) will be held Thursday, October 9, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 3200 N 12th Ave, Pensacola, Florida 32503. A reception will occur Thursday, October 9, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, 3200 North 12th Ave, Pensacola, Florida 32503. A committal service will occur Thursday, October 9, 2025 from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM at Barrancas National Cemetery, 1 Cemetery Rd, Pensacola, Florida 32508.