Boston Fire Captain (Ret.) and USMC Second Lt. Francis “Frank” X. Walsh of Bourne, MA passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at age 75 of bladder cancer. Francis is survived by his wife, Paula M. (Swanson), five siblings; Mary F. Walsh, Joseph J. Walsh, Marian C. Walsh, Esq., Teresa Walsh, Esq., (John), and Madeleine S. McQuire (Kevin). He leaves his nephews; Mark F.X. (Tiffany) Walsh, Joseph W. (Christine) Habib and Jack W. Habib. He was predeceased by three brothers; James H. Walsh, John J. Walsh (Patricia) and Paul P. Walsh.
Born in Boston, Mr. Walsh served his city, Commonwealth and country. After graduation from college in 1974, Mr. Walsh completed Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the Marine Corps and a Second Lieutenant after the evacuation of Saigon, South Vietnam.
At age 26, in 1975 he was deployed to Saigon in Operation Frequent Wind, the codename for the largest helicopter evacuation of civilian and military personnel in history. Returning to Boston, Francis served in the Boston Fire Department for over thirty years, making lasting friendships, rising through the ranks to Fire Captain.
A lifelong golfer, swimmer and sailor, Francis relished sailing the family Wianno Senior 25 foot gaff rigged sloop, with his brothers on Nantucket Sound while entertaining all on board.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10AM on Tuesday, May 21st at St. Margaret’s Church at 141 Main St. Bourne, MA 02532. Interment to follow at Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, MA.
Remembrances in his honor may be made to the Boston Firefighter Relief Fund, 115 Southampton Street, Boston, MA 02118, https://www.bfdrelief.org/
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