Leo J. Walsh, Jr., age 91, of Wilmington, passed away on September 28, 2016, with his loving family at his side.
Leo was born on June 20, 1925, in Charlestown, MA; he was the son of the late Leo J. Sr. and Margaret Walsh. Leo was raised and educated in Charlestown and was very proud to be a “Townie”.
On May 5, 1943, Leo enlisted in the U. S. Navy during World War II. Leo served aboard the USS Ingersoll and did a tour of duty overseas in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre. Leo received several commendations and medals for his fine service and was honorably discharged on February 21, 1946; returning home to his family in Charlestown.
Leo married the “love of his life” Kathleen Gustavson on November 20, 1959; the couple lived in Everett for several years before moving to Wilmington in March of 1973. Leo and Kathleen became parents to six great kids, Sheryl, Tom, Suzanne, Kathleen, Joann, and Margaret; they all had many great times together throughout the years before Kathleen’s untimely passing in September of 1993.
Prior to retiring, Leo was a truck driver for the Teamsters Local #25 in Charlestown; driving for Glendale Motor Oil Company for more than 35 years. Leo worked very hard and put in lot of long hours to provide for his family.
In his spare time, Leo enjoyed camping, deep sea fishing, playing horse shoes and Yahtzee with his family and friends. He also looked forward to taking a drive to Foxwoods to try his luck. Leo also had a “green thumb” and looked forward to planting his vegetable garden every year. He was an avid sports fan who followed the Boston Red Sox; relishing in the many league titles and World Series wins they earned over the years.
Leo will be fondly remembered for his unconditional love and devotion that he showed his family and friends. Leo treasured the time spent with family and really enjoyed being a “Grampy” to his 14 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Leo was a “character” who had a great sense of humor; he would do anything for anyone, and he will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Leo is the beloved husband of the late Kathleen (Gustavson) Walsh, devoted father of Sheryl Rose & husband Victor of N. Berwick, ME, Thomas Walsh & wife Debbie of Wilmington, Suzanne Wooster & husband Donald of Salem, NH, Kathleen Walsh & husband Gabriel Alvarez of Chelmsford, Joann Paquette & her companion Kim Joyce of Wells, ME and Margaret Meehan & husband Matthew of Pelham, NH, loving “Grampy” of Patricia Catalano & companion Michael Joy, Cynthia Rose, Ryan Walsh, Christopher Walsh & wife Jessica, Stephanie Walsh & fiancé Steve Mayne, Andrew Wooster, Kevin Wooster & wife Elicia, Charlene Wooster & fiancé Michael Philippon, the late Christopher Wooster, Andres Alvarez, Samantha Paquette & fiancé Dan Brown, Eliott Paquette, Brianna Meehan, and Colby Meehan and “Great-Grampy” of Nicholas Catalano, Kaitlyn Catalano, Conner Wooster, Abbey Wooster, and Dylan Walsh, cherished son of the late Leo J. Sr. and Margaret (Harkins) Walsh, dear brother of Paul Walsh of Randolph, the late Margaret Murray, John, Frank, Joseph, and Robert Walsh. Leo is also survived by his special friend Ida Lewis of Billerica as well as many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will gather for a Funeral Service at the Nichols Funeral Home, Inc., 187 Middlesex Ave., (Rte. 62), Wilmington, MA on Tuesday, October 4th at 11:00 a.m. Interment with Military Honors to follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington. Visiting hours will be held at the Funeral Home on Monday, October 3rd from 4:00 -7:00 p.m. Memorial donations in Leo’s name may be made to the Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, Brookline, MA 02445.