Edward J. Walsh Jr. died on Oct.1, 2022 due to the consequences of metastatic prostate cancer. He was a 53+ year resident of Monroe County. He was born in Waterbury, Connecticut to Edward and Hazel Walsh. He attended Crosby High School before enrolling at Yale University where he received his B.S. From there he moved to Madison, Wisconsin where he attended the University of Wisconsin from which he received his Ph.D. (Chemistry) in 1968. After N.I.H. post-doctoral studies at Cornell University, he and his family moved to the Rochester area, joining the Eastman Kodak Research Laboratories (photographic systems) in 1969.
He leaves behind his loving wife of 59 years, Lea, and his three children, Edward, Deborah (Paul), and Rachel (Jamie) plus his six grandchildren: Brendan, Cameron, Trevor, Taryn, Hazel, and Riley all of whom brought great pride and joy to his life.
He also leaves his two sisters, Patricia Flaherty and Noreen Lawlor, and his brother Neil Walsh and sister-in-law Wendy Thornley Walsh, plus many nieces and nephews.
Ed enjoyed his participation in local political activities and ancestry studies. He was an avid golfer who spent almost every day….summer and winter….hitting golf balls in his back yard as well as playing at all of the courses that Rochester has to offer. He also enjoyed playing handball, tennis, and skiing and he was most grateful to all of his friends and sports playing partners. He wished to thank them all for their friendship and good times.
Per his wishes there will be no formal services, but our family hopes that in lieu of flowers you will share a fond memory of Ed or perhaps make a donation to Perinton Ambulance, 1400 Turk Hill Rd., Fairport, NY 14450, or to a charity of your choice.
Hi Lea, I’m so sorry to hear of Ed’s passing. He was always so nice to me. I remember him playing tennis with my dad in our backyard and recall him at many dinners at my parents’ house throughout the years. I hope you and your family are doing ok.
Leslie
Dear Lea,
I am so sorry for your loss. Ed was truly a great guy–one in a million. I enjoyed everything about him but especially our many happy interactions at Kodak, on the golf course and while playing tennis. We also often compared notes about zoning issues that came before our two towns.
I pray that you can find some solace in all the good memories that you have had with Ed, without being overcome by grief with his passing. This will be a very difficult period for you, but try to take comfort from your family and friends and know that it will get better for you with time.
Jack
This is so sad.
We have lost one of the unique persons in our lives. Ed had a different way of looking at events, at people, at problems, a way that helped the rest of us see things differently.
He is one of those people whose comments I remember years later. When he was helping me learn to golf, he told me it was OK to be bad, just not to bad and slow. Take one practice swing, hit the ball, and move on. I am still pretty bad, but I have never taken more than one practice swing in my 20 years trying to play the game. Once I was puzzling over the color of a new chair I was buying, he told me not to worry, after a week I wouldn’t even notice it anymore.
And always, there was that smile. When he smiled, and slightly lifted his eyebrows, you knew something funny and to the point was about to come out, and you could not wait to hear it.
Lea, Eddie, Debbie and Rachel, I am so sorry!
Liz
Dear Lea & family,
Kindly accept my heart felt condolences. I am so sorry for your loss.
Ed was my mentor when I joined Kodak Color Paper Research. It was honor and privilege to work with him. He was clever and witty and a great teacher.
Ed, Jim, Vince and I were a foursome at the Leermaker golf tournament for a few years. In fact, with Ed’s coaching, I once sank a 25ft putt. He read the green, pointed to a spot and said aim here. I did what he said and the ball dropped in…a 1 putt. I was amazed. Ed, how did you know that ??
Ed was clearly one of the best people I’ve ever known. May God smile kindly upon him and grant him peace.
Respectfully,
Susan (Susie) Hill
LEA
I just learned of Ted’s passing. My sincere condolences to you and your family. I last saw Ted at our 50th high school reunion when we sat at the same table and reminisced about our many Prospect adventures which are too numerous to recount. Just a few short weeks ago I was thinking about him and looked to make contact via Facebook. I spent many hours at the summit road home with Ted and his family along with friends Gerry Ricciardi and Steve Bradford. Cherished memories. God bless all in the Walsh household during your time of grieving.
Sincerely,
Tom Jokubaitis
Ed was a phenomenal man to be around. My experiences with him at Kodak was that he was an exceptional professional and a good and kind man. My thoughts and prayers to the family and for Ed.
Denny Schulmerich