John Joseph Walsh

John Joseph Walsh, 84, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at Marietta, Ohio.  John was born on January 29, 1940, in Buffalo, New York, to John and Rose Walsh.  He was a graduate of East High School and Erie Tech, both in Buffalo.

John married his sweetheart, Antoinette “Toni” M. Walsh on March 3, 1962, in Buffalo.  The were happily married for 54 years until Toni’s passing in 2016.  John and Toni had four children: John, Pat, Mike, and Jenny.  He was a doting father who always encouraged his children to follow their dreams and strive to be excellent in whatever they pursued.  He loved sports and the performing arts of all kinds.  John was known for his kind nature, good humor and willingness to be involved, volunteer or help in any way he could.

John was a career chemist, serving at Union Carbide/Witco-Osi for 36 years, from which he retired.  This service included a four-year assignment in Antwerp, Belgium, as the company’s Global Operations Manager.  Not suited for permanent retirement, John went on to lead the start-up of Proviron America, Friendly, West Virginia; serve as the Safety Director at Alliance Industries, Inc., Marietta, Ohio; and help lead the career pathways and workforce development programs at Washington State Community College, Marietta.  Once John finally retired, he began volunteering as a Greeter at Marietta Memorial Hospital, which he did until he was physically unable to continue.

Transferred with Union Carbide, John and his young family migrated to Marietta, Ohio, from North Tonawanda, New York during 1967.  In 1969, John joined the local theater production of Oliver!, playing the role of Bill Sikes; this was the beginning of a decade plus run of John’s acting, producing and promoting local theater productions, and the best part of a lifetime of supporting the Mid-Ohio Valley Performing Arts of all stripes.  His musical productions included Man of La Mancha, The Music Man, South Pacific and Big River.  In 1976, John also composed the score of Bold Bank, Soft Stream, an original play by Helen Faye Rosenblum about the founding of Marietta.  During that time, John also served on Marietta’s Bicentennial and Sternwheel Festival committees.  Decades later, John served on the board of the Hippodrome/Colony Theatre restoration project.  John’s most memorable and beloved performance was playing the lead role of Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, also during the mid ‘70s.  He reprised the role and production in Marietta during the ‘90s.  In addition to his performing artistry, John was a true communitarian with a genuine love for Marietta and its people.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Toni; his sisters Maryanne Shank and Diane Piscitello, brother, Tim Walsh; sister-in-law, Patricia Walsh, and brother-in-law, Dick Shank.  John is survived by his children, John (Darlene) Walsh, Patrick (Debbie) Walsh, Michael (Lisa) Walsh, and Jennifer Walsh.  He is also survived by his six grandchildren, Courtney Walsh, Emily Drennon, Kyrie Walsh, Alexis Walsh, Caroline Walsh, and Mallory Walsh.

The Walsh Family would like to give special thanks and recognition to the entire staff at Legacy (formerly Heartland) nursing home for their dedication to John’s well-being during the last four years.

Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 8, 2024 at The Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption, with The Rev. Edward Maxfield, Jr. celebrating. Family will greet friends after the Mass in the social hall of the church, where a meal will be served.

The MARIETTA CHAPEL OF CAWLEY & PEOPLES FUNERAL HOME, is honored to serve John’s family and offers online condolences as well as many other resources by visiting their website, www.CawleyandPeoples.com or by following their Facebook page.