Thomas Joseph Walsh, 94, of Oak Harbor, died Dec. 21, 2007, at Whidbey General Hospital, thus joining his beloved wife, Gerry, in Heaven.
Mr. Walsh was born March 26, 1913, in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, to Charles Walsh and Anna (Hannig) Walsh. At age 6, he moved with his family to Spokane and later moved to Portland, Ore., where he graduated from Franklin High School. Following his graduation, he attended Columbia University (later the University of Portland). His three-year pursuit there of a career in medicine was circumvented suddenly by the onset of the Depression.
On June 1, 1935, Tom married Geraldine Durrie at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Portland. Tom had a passion for music, and played violin in the Portland Symphony Orchestra. The couple remained in Portland until 1944, when Tom was transferred to Bellingham as a sales representative for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. While in Bellingham, Tom was employed by Sears, and then Cascade Natural Gas, from which he retired after many years of service. He and the family enjoyed boating together, and he was a member of the Bellingham Yacht Club. He was a member of Assumption Church, where he served as choir director. He was also past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Bellingham Council.
In 1973, following retirement, Tom and Gerry moved to Lopez Island, where they resided on Fisherman’s Bay and were active golfers. In 1988, they made Oak Harbor their home and continued their pursuit of golf there. They were members of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church.
Tom is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Gerri and Tom Hiestand of Oak Harbor; ten grandchildren: Mike Hiestand and wife Patty of Ferndale; Tim Hiestand of Seattle; Patrick Hiestand of Bellingham; Brian Hiestand of New York City; Dan Hiestand and fiancé Tasi Clancy of Ferndale; Tom Kollas of Portland; Patti Karlskind and husband Andy ofDanville, Calif.; Peggy Diaz and husband Norm of Barstow, Calif.; Mike Kollas and wife Kathy of Portland; Chris Kollas of Seattle; daughter-in-law Marge Kollas and husband Wayne of Portland, and their children, Tim Kollas and wife Shelley and Molly Kollas; numerous great-grandchildren; one brother, Francis Walsh of Walnut Creek, Calif.; two sisters, Marian Lankford of Goliad, Texas and Helen Walsh of Bellingham; sister-in-law Marguerite Walsh of Woodland; also, numerous nieces and nephews. Tom was preceded by his beloved wife of 69 years, Gerry, in 2004; by his son, Capt. Tom Walsh (USAF), who was killed in action in Vietnam in 1966; and by one brother, Leo Walsh.
A funeral Mass will be held Friday, Jan. 4, 9 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, the Rev. Jerry Kienzle, celebrant. Following a reception in the Parish Hall, a Family Graveside Service will take place at Sunnyside Cemetery. The family suggests memorials may be made to Mount Angel Seminary c/o the Abbey Foundation of Oregon, P.O. Box 501,Saint Benedict, Ore. 97373-0501.Arrangements under the direction of Whidbey Memorial Funeral & Cremation Service, Inc., 746 NE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor.
