James Walsh

WATERBURY - Dr. James P. Walsh, 80, of Worcester, Mass., passed away Saturday, July 17, 2010 in Waterbury after an illness.

Dr. Walsh was born in Waterbury, son of the late Col. James P. and M. Alice (McNight) Walsh.

He graduated in 1948 from Sacred Heart High School in Waterbury. In 1952, he graduated magna cum laude from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester with a degree in math and pre-med. In 1956, he graduated from the Georgetown University School of Medicine. After completing his internship at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served two years of active duty as a Captain in South Korea. After training in neurology at Georgetown University Hospital, he returned to South Korea in 1960 to serve four years as medical director of a health clinic in Kwangju.

Dr. Walsh returned to Worcester in 1964 and completed his residency in internal medicine at St. Vincent Hospital. He entered private practice as an internist in Worcester in 1966.

Dr. Walsh was a medical consultant to the Athletic Department at the College of the Holy Cross for almost 40 years. On March 8, 2010, he was inducted as an honorary member of the Holy Cross Varsity Hall of Fame.

He was a founding member of the Vernon Medical Center at 10 Winthrop St., Worcester, and maintained a private practice there since 1975.

He was a founding member of Opera Worcester. He was its first treasurer and later served several years as president. He also served on the boards of the Salisbury Singers and Music Worcester.

Dr. Walsh leaves two sisters, Mary E. Gorman of Waterbury and Anne L. Crimmins of Waterbury, with whom he resided after his retirement. He is also survived by seven nephews and six nieces and several grand nieces and grand nephews, especially Matthew who was the joy of his life. He is predeceased by his brothers, William J. and Lt. Col. Thomas S. Walsh.

Arrangements - A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, July 20 at 10 a.m. in St. Paul's Cathedral, Chatham St., Worcester. Calling hours are Monday, July 19 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester. On Wednesday July 21, a prayer service will be held at the Mulville Funeral Home, 270 West Main St at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Waterbury. Friends will be received at the funeral home from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Visitation House, 119 Endicott St., Worcester 01610 or Problem Pregnancy of Worcester, 495 Pleasant St., Worcester 01609.