Obituary for Lt. Col. James Walsh, USAF(Ret.
) Lt. Col. James A. Walsh, USAF, (Ret.
) 71, passed away unexpectedly on October 23, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. Jim was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut on July 20, 1947 to the late James A. Walsh Sr. and Mary J. (Collins) Walsh. Jim attended the Air Force Academy for two years.
He returned home and completed his degree at Sacred Heart University by working full-time during the day at Avco and carrying a full course load in the evening, becoming the first night student to make the Dean’s List. While working at Avco, he met the love of his life, Nancy Hulse, and they married on August 19, 1972. He was commissioned into the Air Force as an officer and he and Nancy started their great adventure.
Jim always told us that the best years of his life were when he served his country as a navigator. His passion was flying in his planes. Jim and Nancy formed lifelong friendships at each Air Force base they were stationed.
Jim proudly served his country for 22 years and retired as Lieutenant Colonel in 1994. After retiring from the Air Force, he enjoyed his second career in finance. After Nancy’s death in 2007, he relocated with his company to Columbus, Ohio.
While working at Citi in Columbus, he met Sandi Quinn and they shared their passion for the Lord. They married on September 5, 2009 and Jim started his next adventure with his new blended family. They retired together on January 30, 2012 and Jim immediately became a volunteer at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, logging in over 2,000 hours sharing his passion with the museum’s many visitors as a tour guide.
Jim was the hands and feet of Jesus at the Church of the Resurrection in New Albany, Ohio. He facilitated adult bible studies, he taught children, and he was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus where he served as a mentor for young men in the Knights. He faithfully served with the 3rd Degree members by participating in nearly all of their fundraising projects.
He was a humble servant of his Lord and Savior, loving God above all else. Jim and Sandi’s faith journey included going to Mass on Saturday nights and all of their bible studies were at Church of the Resurrection. On Sundays they went to the Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church for Sunday school and a church service.
Jim touched many, many people’s lives because of his devotion to his faith. Jim loved to travel the United States and overseas. A lifelong New York Yankees fan, Jim had a love for baseball and football (Go Pats!
), and a love/hate relationship with golf. He was well-read and loved to tell his children and grandchildren that he was the smartest man they’d ever met. Jim was predeceased by his parents; his beloved wife of 34 years, Nancy (Hulse) Walsh; sisters Kathleen McKeon and Eileen Wallin; brother Emmett Walsh; and grandson Jameson Travis Walsh.
He is survived by his wife of 9 years, Sandi Quinn; children Jennifer Walsh of Worcester, MA, Sarah and Charles Hamlyn of Wells, ME, and James R. Walsh and fiancée Felicia Jones of Biddeford, ME, Troy and Kim Guthrie of Katy, TX, and Kris Guthrie of Dublin, OH; grandchildren Charlie, Nora, Harrison, Sylvie, Ethan, Emily, Zoe, and Zachary; sister Patricia Walsh and her husband Bob Markle of Virginia; brother Robert Walsh and fiancée Judith Verrillo of Connecticut; lifelong friends Robert Laska and Mike Healy, both of Milford, CT; and cousins, nieces, and a nephew. Visitation will be at SCHOEDINGER NORTHEAST, 1051 E. Johnstown Rd. , Gahanna, OH from 2-5PM, Sunday, October 28, 2018, with a Celebration of Life service at 5PM.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10AM Monday, October 29, 2018, at Church of the Resurrection, 6300 E Dublin Granville Rd. , New Albany, OH. Additional visitation will be 4-7PM Thursday, November 1, 2018, at BIBBER MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL, 111 Chapel Rd.
, Wells, ME 04090, with a Memorial Mass at 10AM, Friday, November 2, 2018, at Holy Spirit Parish St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 236 Eldridge Rd. , Wells, ME. Interment with military honors will follow at Ocean View Cemetery, 1485 Post Rd.
, Wells, ME. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jim’s name may be made to www. habitat.org/support.
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