Kenneth "Kenny" Blaise Walsh

WALSH, Kenneth: Peacefully, at GNGH, in his 79th year, Kenneth Blaise “Kenny” Walsh. Father of Michael and Catherine. Brother of Jude William “Bill” (the Late Lois) and Mary. Also survived by his special friend in Uganda, Dorothy, and her three daughters, Grace, Oliver and Mercy. Predeceased by his parents Jim and Marjorie and by his youngest brother James.

Kenny enjoyed working at several careers in the transportation industry. After a massive layoff, he found a home in the taxi business, specializing in sightseeing. He even had his cab registered with the Niagara Parks Commission. He was recognized with a Misty Award and also by Rotary as a Paul Harris Fellow.

In early 2006, he took a trip to Uganda, Africa that changed not only his life but the lives of many others. While visiting a school and noticing that some children were not participating in the hot lunch being provided, he found they did not have money to pay. He only had enough funds with him to pay for 6 children for the remainder of that school year, but that was the beginning of the charity he founded, Ryan’s Bowl, whose mandate is to provide a hearty lunch for children, mainly in East Uganda, during the school term. Approximately 1,100 little ones are currently enjoying what is, for many of them, their only meal of the day. He passed away at peace, knowing that Isabella, his hand-picked successor and Mike, who will handle the accounting end, will continue, and build on, the Ryan’s Bowl legacy begun by Kenny which he lovingly nurtured for 13 years.

Cremation has taken place. The Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, April 5 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, 4673 Victoria Ave, Niagara Falls. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ryan’s Bowl, c/o The Lemon Tree Restaurant, A1- 395 Ontario Street, St Catharines ON L2N 7N6; or to The Walker Family Cancer Centre.

The family wishes to express sincere thanks to the nurses in the Trillium Unit for their loving care of Kenny, and to all who called and visited him, both at his home and later at the hospital. Special thanks to Rhonda Armstrong and Ross Smith, who visited every day, ran dozens of errands, and worked so hard to provide for Kenny’s comfort during his final illness.

Online tributes and condolences may be made at www.hetheringtonanddeans.com

“God without man is still God, but man without God is nothing.”