Steven M. Walsh, 43, of Fall River died Tuesday January 20, 2004 at Charlton Memorial Hospital. He was the husband of Mariann (Saunders) Walsh.
Born in New Bedford, the son of Thomas P. and Patricia A. (Morse) Walsh of New Bedford, he had lived in Fall River since 1984. He was graduated from New Bedford High School in 1978, where he was a member of the swim team, track team, and girl's field hockey team. In 1982, he was graduated from Bridgewater State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work. In 1987, he received a Juris Doctor degree from New England School of Law. He had also attended Central Connecticut State College.
Since 1983, Mr. Walsh had been employed with the Plymouth County Sheriff's Department, starting as a case worker and correctional officer and working his way up to General Counsel and Director of Legal Services, a position he held under four different sheriffs.
Mr. Walsh had been a two term Fall River City Councilor and a candidate for Bristol County Sheriff. As an attorney, he was admitted to practice in Massachusetts State Courts, Federal Court, the Federal First Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.
He was a member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in New Bedford, a member of the Massachusetts Sheriffs Association, a former member of the Fall River Chamber of Commerce, a volunteer crew member of the H.M.S. Bounty, and an avid supporter of Michael's Fund, an organization which supports bone marrow transplants for children and adults.
He was an avid rugby player and later was a referee with the New England Rugby Football Referees Union. While at Bridgewater State College, he co-founded the B.S.C. Rugby team. He was a two time Walsh Cup winner.
Steve lived life to the fullest. He was a surfer, hockey player, skier and golfer, and recently became a sky diver the day before his first chemotherapy treatment. He loved going to Florida with his friends, but most of all, Steve loved his family.
In addition to his widow and parents, he leaves a daughter, Kate Walsh of Fall River; a son, Brendan Walsh of Fall River; 2 brothers, Shaun Walsh, and his wife Karen, of Marion, and Michael Walsh of Pownal, VT; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Jean and Daniel Saunders of Fall River; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday January 23, 2004 at 9 AM in Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover St., Fall River. Burial will follow in St. Patrick's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Thursday January 22, 2004 from 4-8 PM in the Waring-Sullivan Home of Memorial Tribute at Cherry Place, 178 Winter St., Fall River. Remembrances may be made to Michael's Fund, 1010 G.A.R. Highway, Swansea, MA 02777.