Thomas J. Walsh, a lifelong Chestnut Hill resident who was able to brighten up the day of anyone with whom he came into contact, died peacefully of natural causes on Feb. 21, surrounded by and in the arms of his loving, proud family. He was 63.
Walsh was born in 1962 to Louise and Gerry Walsh and was brought home to Ardleigh Street to live with his adoring three sisters and brother. Walsh, born with Down syndrome, would prove to be special in every way, and seemed to affect all who met him.
Mary Thorell, Walsh’s sister, told the Local last week, “Tom was so wonderful. He was truly the glue that held us five siblings all together. We are all so close. Tom and our mom, who has Alzheimer’s disease, lived together at the Hill House. Then he lived with us and a sister who moved here from New Jersey. We get together every Saturday, which we call Sinatra Saturday because mom loved music so much. Tom was very good at cards and dominoes. We called them ‘Tom-inos.’ And he was good at verbal games. He was a wonderful guy and a big part of all of our lives. We are all heartbroken.”
Walsh was a gentle soul who volunteered for many Chestnut Hill organizations and businesses, including the Chestnut Hill Local, for several decades. When he contributed his time to the Local, his cheerfulness improved everybody’s day. As mentioned in the family’s tribute on the Jacob Ruth Funeral Home website, “If you’ve been a regular on the Avenue the last 50 years, you surely know Tom.
“He was a swimmer, biker, reader, traveler, adventurer; he was always up for almost anything. If it included eating and dancing, all the better. He loved a party and was the life of every one. … Tom was fun and funny. He had the wonder, joy and acceptance of a child, and he kept it for all of his 63 years. He made the world a better place. He will be forever missed, never forgotten.”
Bria McMenamin, one of Walsh's nieces, told the Local, “It was a tremendous honor, along with my brother Sean’s son, Colin, to call Thomas ‘godfather.’ It was a role first bestowed upon Tom when he was 18 years old and one that, like all of his devotions, he gave his whole heart to. And he didn’t just show up at Christmas with a gift for his godchild. He made it clear every day that it was his charge to love, protect and be there for us.
“It’s an unconditional love that went from him cheering to the last second of every game I had (and for those who don’t know me, I was a dancer on the sidelines so, not even in the game) to catching me in a sad mood, when I lived at home with him and my parents, and saying, ‘But I love you, B.’ While words alone often can’t heal the hurt, his steady, joyful mood and his infectious approach to life would soon lift me out of mine.”
According to Scott Thorell, Walsh's nephew, “Tom was my first best friend. How could he not be? If I said, ‘Can we play basketball on the driveway court or can we ride the waves in Ocean City, N.J., where they stayed during the summer, or can we watch the Batman show on TV, the answer was always the same: ‘Sure. Let’s do it, man.’”
Nancy Elfant, wife of Elfant Wissahickon Realtors founder Bob Elfant, said Walsh was doing some work for the Chestnut Hill Business District several years ago, "but they had some cutbacks, and Tom lost his job. We felt really bad for him, so I approached Jon Roesser, general manager at the then-new Weavers Way Co-op in Chestnut Hill, to ask if he could use Tom’s services. Jon said OK, but he was very busy opening the new store, so I would have to train him. I spent two weeks with Tom, and he was a quick study. He was so sweet. He’d throw his arms around new customers. It was a sweet transition for him. He was always warm and welcoming with everyone.”
Walsh is survived by three sisters and a brother — Mary with Al, Lyn with John, Rene with Rich, and Jack, and several nieces and nephews. Services were held at Our Mother of Consolation Church on Feb. 28. Interment was private.
Memorial contributions in Walsh’s name may be made to: KenCrest Philanthropy, 960A Harvest Drive, Blue Bell, Pa 19422, or to the Special Olympics via their online form.
Len Lear can be reached at lenlear@chestnuthilllocal.com.
