Joseph John Walsh

Joe was born in Grand Junction, Colorado, to the late William E. Walsh and Avis Egger Walsh. Growing up he lived in Detroit, Michigan and West Newton, Massachusetts where he met the love of his life, Judy Zagwyn when they were in middle school. Joe joined the United States Air Force in 1958. The couple married in 1961. He served 8 years during the VietNam war era.

While he was serving his country the couple had two children, David and Laura. When he was to deploy overseas he moved his family from Massachusetts to Bremerton where Judy's mom resided. When Joe returned stateside they decided to make Bremerton their home and had two more children, Debbie and Cheryl. Joe began working at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard from where he eventually retired. Joe opened an auto body shop with his son Dave and continued to work into his 70's.

Family was always Joe's greatest enjoyment and source of pride. Summer vacations were spent in California with his siblings and their families. Joe coached Dave's little league baseball team and he and Judy attended the kid's sports and extracurricular events. When grandchildren came along they continued to support their activities and cheer them on.

Joe and Judy enjoyed traveling the country in their motor coach visiting family as well as national parks and other attractions.

Joe enjoyed long drives in his classic convertible. He and Judy attended many classic car shows. He also had a lifelong love of birds. Raising pigeons in his youth, having finches and quail when raising his family, delighting in his daughter's flock of chickens in recent years and always bird watching and identifying wild birds.

Joseph was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Judith A. Walsh. He is survived by their four children: David Walsh, Laura Piacitelli (Mark), Debbie Boyce, and Cheryl Ginder (Marc); by his grandchildren: Madison Fehrenbacher, Mason Walsh, Garrett Walsh, Connor Walsh, and Colton Boyce, two step-granddaughters Alainna Strasburg (Keith) and Karleen Scharbau (Zach) and their children (his great grandchildren) Lucas, Baylee, Evie and Cami Sue.

One of 13 children, Joseph is survived by his siblings Sheila Leal (Ron), Tim Walsh, Gael Welpley, and Marty Walsh (Fran). He was preceded in death by many siblings and loved ones. He is also remembered by numerous loving relatives and friends.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Bremerton on August 29th at 11:00 a.m. (Rosary at 10:30 a.m.)