Leo Walsh Obituary

We mourn the loss of another member of The Greatest Generation. Leo Alvin Walsh, a man who loved life and lived it to the fullest, died just one month shy of his 95th birthday. Leo died peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family, on September 6, 2013. The youngest of ten children, he was born on October 8, 1918 to T.W. Walsh, Sr. and Evelyn "Eva" Landry Walsh. His parents and siblings, Florence Walsh, Lucy Walsh Odom, T.W. Walsh, Jr., Lydia Walsh Bryan, Bernard Walsh, Marguerite Walsh Muse, Robert Walsh, Phillip Walsh, and Mary Walsh, are all deceased. Leo's father was the Baton Rouge Commissioner of Streets and Parks. His father died when Leo was a young boy, but Leo had an interesting and happy childhood with his mother and siblings in their home on St. Francis Street, now Eighth Street, in Baton Rouge. In 1937, Leo graduated from Catholic High School, where he was a member of TKO fraternity. He then attended LSU, where he joined TKN fraternity and studied electrical engineering. Leo left college to join the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. He attended officers' training school in Quantico, Virginia and was assigned to the 2d Marine Division Weapons Company. During World War II, he saw combat in the Battle of the China Sea, Saipan, Okinawa and Nagasaki. Leo learned his lifetime motto in the Marines: "If you can still move your little finger, you can make another mile." Before leaving the States to serve his country, Leo married Dorothy Mae "Dotsie Mae" Rome Walsh, his high school sweetheart and the one, true love of his life. They had two children, Gayle and Jane, before Leo shipped out only two weeks after Jane's birth. When he returned from service, he and Dotsie Mae welcomed sons, Larry and Randy. To support his growing family, Leo worked at Esso (now ExxonMobil), retiring in 1981 after 29 years of service. Leo was the original recycler. With his mechanical mind, he could build anything- from a lawnmower to a houseboat-out of scrap material. In the 1970s, Leo singlehandedly restored Dotsie Mae's family home, "The Oaks," in Bayou Goula, Louisiana, where the Walsh family enjoys gathering to this day. Leo's wife, Dotsie Mae, died in 1994. He is survived by his daughters, Gayle Walsh Raley and Jane Walsh Randolph Noble and Jane's husband, Steve T. Noble; his sons, Larry Leo Walsh and Randy Rome Walsh and Randy's wife, Lenore Feeney; his grandchildren, Susan Raley Ratcliff and husband John, JoAnne Raley Poche and husband Kevin, Ronda Raley Picou and husband Ricky, Michael Walsh and wife Maria Kornilkova, Michelle Walsh, Lauren Walsh, and Brent Walsh. He is survived by eight great-grandchildren. The family will hold a private service and burial for Leo on Tuesday, September 10, 2013. Pallbearers are Michael Walsh, Kevin Poche, Seth Vaccaro, John Ratcliff, Camron Breeden and Colin Poche. Honorary pallbearer is Aaron Breeden, Staff Sargent, U.S. Air Force. The family offers special thanks to Leo's caregivers, CynthiaTasco, Eloise Battiste, and The Hospice of Baton Rouge, who and which provided the love and support that Leo and his family needed. If you are inclined to make a donation in Leo's memory, the family suggests that donations be made to The Hospice of Baton Rouge, Suite A, 9063 Siegen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70810 or to a charity of your choice.

Published by The Advocate from Sep. 7 to Sep. 9, 2013.
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Randy, Lenore and the Walsh Family:

We were so saddened to hear of Mr. Leo's passing. He was a jolly ol' soul who certainly did live his life to the fullest. Always enjoyed being in his presence when he visited The Oaks here in Bayou Goula. We will always remember his little red Jeep putting down Augusta Road! He will surely be missed by all those who knew & loved him.

Antoine & Susan Landry

September 9, 2013

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Funeral services provided by:

Rabenhorst Funeral Home & Crematory - Downtown

825 Government Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802

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