Edward P. “Juny” Walsh Jr., 90, on January 24, 2019, put down his burden and departed this world for the next. He loved, and was loved by, his wife Mary, daughter Deirdre, and son Edward. He enjoyed bike rides on Brenton Rd, walks down Thames St, reading books at the public library, and long swims at Gooseberry Beach. He loved Newport and her people; from the 5th Ward to Tonomy Hill, and all points in between.
The son of Edward and Mary (Fenton) Walsh, he was born in Newport on May 22, 1928. After graduating De La Salle Academy, class of 1945 he entered the Army under the GI Bill where he was part of the American force that occupied Japan after WWII. From there he received a football scholarship to Holy Cross, was named a defensive captain, and earned a Bachelor’s Degree. Many years later he earned a Master’s Degree in Early-Childhood Education from Salve Regina University. Although the NFL came calling, he elected to return to Newport and pursue his passion for education. He promoted and developed in his students a perpetual desire for achievement. He imparted on them the importance of sustaining integrity, requiring equality, having compassion, and of doing one’s best every day. It was a very successful 38 year career. It included teaching stints at Underwood Annex and Sheffield School; and principal stays at Mumford School, Coggeshall School, and ultimately Underwood School. Taking the reins as coordinator for the City of Newport’s spelling bee was the highest honor of his career. In retirement he put on a suit for Viking Tours and stepped on too many a tour bus as guide. He would beam with pride as he recounted the vast history of the city he loved so much.
It was common for Juny to travel to Ireland with his father, and with his Fenton cousins Mike and Jim. There in Ireland he would meet his wife Mary O’Connell, born just a stone’s throw away from the birthplace of his mother. Ireland was his second home, and the Irish family he had there all felt very strongly about their love and admiration for him.
As a well accomplished athlete, he was inducted into the Newport sports Hall of Fame in 2005. He loved the New England Patriots and his Boston sports teams, and he passed on that passion to his daughter and son.
He will be dearly missed by those he loved, and by a world that needs so many more like him.
Visiting hours will be held from 4-7 pm, Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at the O’Neill-Hayes Funeral Home, 465 Spring Street, Newport.
A Mass of Christian burial will be Thursday, January 31 at St. Augustin’s Church, Carroll Avenue, Newport at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at St. Columba Cemetery, 465 Brown’s Lane Middletown.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Hope Health Hospice, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904.
