Beverly — Joseph W. “Jay” Walsh Jr., 74, beloved husband of Anna Marie (Sforza) Walsh, died Sunday, January 6, 2013, at the Beverly Hospital.
Born and raised in Beverly, he was the son of the late Joseph W. Sr. and Marion (Lantz) Walsh. He graduated from Beverly High School and earned an Associate’s Degree from North Shore Community College.
An honorably discharged veteran, he served his country during the Vietnam Era as a member of the United States Coast Guard Reserves.
Mr. Walsh had been employed for 30 years as the Health Director for the City of Beverly until the time of his retirement in 1998. Jay was dedicated to the City and to his profession. He was a member and past President of the National Environmental Health Association and member of the Massachusetts Environmental Health Association.
A lifelong resident of the City of Beverly, Jay was a longtime active member of the Beverly Rotary Club where he enjoyed spending time with his friends and colleagues. He was an avid Red Sox and Celtics fan.
He was a devoted and dedicated family man who was adored by his wife, children and grandchildren.
In addition to his loving bride of almost 45 years, who lovingly cared for him and never left his side during his 26 year struggle with Parkinson’s Disease, he is survived by three daughters, Marion Frost and her husband, Peter of Amesbury, Sandra Fitzgerald and her husband, Joe of Essex and Andrea Avila of Beverly, seven grandchildren, Brandon and Lauren Frost, Evan, Alanna and Connor Fitzgerald, Cameron and Ryan Avila, two sisters, Anne Merrill of Amesbury and Eileen Barth and her husband, Carl of Maine, a brother, Thomas Walsh Sr. and his wife, Ruth of Beverly, brothers-in-law including, Pat Sforza and his wife, Elaine of Revere and many loving nieces and nephews.
ARRANGEMENTS: A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, 253 Cabot St., Beverly, Thursday, January 10, 2013, at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours at the Campbell – Lee, Moody, Russell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly (North Beverly location), Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m. Burial in North Beverly Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Jay’s memory to the Beverly Hospital, c/o Development office, 500 Cummings Center, Suite 6500, Beverly, MA 01915. Information, directions and condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.
