John Thomas Walsh

John Thomas Walsh, 97, of West Roxbury, MA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 8, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in 1928 in Blessed Sacrament Parish, Boston, Massachusetts, John was the son of the late Joseph M. and Catherine (Canney) Walsh. He is survived by his sisters, Patricia Downey of Yarmouth Port, MA and Catherine Gale of Millis, MA.  John is predeceased by his brothers, Joseph, Robert and Thomas Walsh, and sisters Mary Walsh, Margaret Moscato and Rita Walsh. John was the proud and beloved Uncle to twenty-six nieces and nephews, their spouses, children and grand-children, by whom he will be sorely missed.

John attended Boston Latin School, where he was a founding member of the school’s first golf team, while also working as a caddie at The Country Club in Brookline.  After serving four years in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, John earned a Bachelors Degree and Masters Degree in Education from Boston College.  Early in his career he worked as a mathematics teacher in New Britain, CT and as a representative for World Book Encyclopedia in Boston.

John then went to work for many years as a researcher at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services. John retired in 1991 and enjoyed spending summers in Harwich on Cape Cod, playing golf with family members and traveling to Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Ireland and Scotland. John was a sports fan and avid reader. A decades-long usher at St. John Chrysostom Parish in West Roxbury, John was a devoted member and generous supporter of the Catholic Church and many associated charities.  

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John Chrysostom Church, 4750 Washington St., West Roxbury on Friday, March 13, at 10 am. Visiting hours will be held in the Robert J. Lawler and Crosby Funeral Home, 1803 Centre St., West Roxbury, on Thursday, March 12, from 3:00 -7:00 pm. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the interment at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Francis House, P.O. Box 120499, Essex Station, Boston, Massachusetts 02112-0499 or online at https://stfrancishouse.org

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