Donald G. Walsh, Sr., 82, of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL, formerly of Milford, CT, passed away on January 21, 2017.He was born on January 27, 1934, in Bronx, NY to the late William J. (of Ireland) and Catherine D. Walsh (of Connecticut).
A graduate of Saint Michael’s College (’55, Winooski, VT) and Georgetown Law School (’57), Don had a 50 year career in the law. He was a member of the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, Connecticut Bar Association and was also the past president of the New Haven County Bar. A highlight of Don’s career was being nominated and voted into Best Lawyers of America, the oldest peer-reviewed ranking system for attorneys in the United States.
For many years, he was on the Board of Trustees at St. Michael College in Winooski, VT and was honored in 2005 as Alumni of the Year. He was a longtime member of the New Haven Country Club and a social member at the Milford Yacht Club.
Don enjoyed fine dining and for several years wrote restaurant reviews for the New Haven Register under the pseudonym, Lex Gourmand. Don was a snowbird for many years spending many weeks each winter at his second home in Lauderdale-by-the Sea. He eventually retired and became a full-time Florida resident about 10 years ago, and greatly enjoyed living there.
As a young man he excelled in basketball and later was an avid golfer. Don also was a fan of New York sports, owning season tickets for many years to the Giants, Knicks and his beloved Yankees. Don enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and he enjoyed hosting parties, especially Fourth of July celebrations at his Milford home.
Don is survived by his children, Donald (Michele) Walsh, Jr. of Orange, CT, Jennifer (Lee) Cannady of Atlanta, GA and David (Sawami) Walsh of Los Angeles, CA; his grandchildren, Kevin, Ryan and Kaitlin Walsh, Sarah and Palmer Cannady and Evan Walsh; step grandchildren, Matthew, Jesse and Daniel Jablon; nieces and nephews and his former wife, Jeannine Walsh. He is predeceased by his daughter, Beth Walsh and his brother, William D. Walsh.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, January 27, 2017, at 10 a.m. at Holy Infant Church, 450 Racebrook Rd., Orange, CT (MEET DIRECTLY AT CHURCH). Interment will follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery, 280 Derby Ave., West Haven, CT.
Family and friends are invited to call on Thursday, January 26, 2017, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the CODY-WHITE FUNERAL HOME, 107 Broad St., Milford, CT.
Memorial gifts in Honor of Don may be made to the Beth Walsh Memorial Scholarship that he and Jeannine Walsh initiated in Beth’s memory to: St. Michael’s College, Box 256, One Winooski Park, Colchester, VT 05439. Gifts can also be made online at http://www.smcvt.edu/pages/support-saint-michaels-college.aspx