Edward H. Walsh

Edward H. "Chip" Walsh, of Southington, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday Oct. 8. Born in Hartford on Dec. 5, 1940, to Edward and Lucille (O'Connor) Walsh, Ed's favorite childhood memories were of sailing on Long Island Sound at his family's shore cottage in Westbrook, CT. He had a lifelong interest in music, earning 1st Coronet in the Connecticut All State Band. He graduated from Maloney High School in 1959 and worked for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft for almost 38 years, starting as a third shift worker and retiring as Quality Assurance Manager for the Cheshire plant.

In his retirement years, he never slowed down, devoting himself to making warm dinners for his wife when she returned home from work, to being present and involved in his childrens' and grandchildrens' lives, and helping out anywhere he saw a need. He was their biggest cheerleader, and his faith in the strength and goodness of ordinary people was unbounding. Even as he became ill, he reached out to recognize all those who crossed his path, offering reassurance and encouragement to nurses and aides who were there to care for him. In his final days he was surrounded by his loving family: Janice, his beloved wife of 52 years, his daughters Sherry Russman of Southington and Amy Kaplan of Westport, his son Bill Walsh, of St. Petersburg, Florida, his loving sons-in-law, Eric Russman of Southington and Michael Kaplan of Westport, his daughter-in-law Audra St. John Walsh, his grandchildren Amanda Russman, Ben Russman, Max Kaplan, Lucy Kaplan, Edward "Teddy" Walsh, and Clara Walsh, and his brother Michael Walsh and sister-in-law Beverly Walsh, of Fairfield. He was predeceased by his sister Kathleen Walsh Lynch.

The family would like to thank specifically the caring and compassionate people at the Harold Leever Center for Cancer Care, in particular Dr. Victor Chang and his entire staff, who brought comfort and love to us all. A special thanks to Marlene, who was our angel throughout. We also thank John Cookson, the Hartford Healthcare Hospice team, and Ann Minor and Deborah Testa, who brought their compassion and skills to our family, and helped to fill Ed's last days with peace and love. A special note of recognition to Christine Aliano, and Christine Biosky, of Waterbury Hospital, whose humor and grace and spiritual sense gave him comfort and support.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 9:45 am from the DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St. to Mary Our Queen Church, 248 Savage St. Plantsville at 10:30 am. Calling hours will be on Monday from 4-7 pm. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Waterbury.

Memorial Donations may be made to the Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center, 1075 Chase Parkway, Waterbury, CT or to the MDS Foundation, www.MDS-Foundation.org.

For online condolences and directions visit http://www.dellavecchiafh.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.dellavecchiafh.com