Obituary of David Arthur Walsh

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It is with deep sadness that we share the loss of our father, David Arthur Walsh, of Renous NB. He passed away peacefully on July 10, four months shy of his 80th birthday.

Born in the County of Middlesex, England on November 10, 1944, he was the son of Joseph and Kathleen Walsh. 

David is survived by his daughter Stephanie (Bill), sons Andrew, Patrick and Jonathan (Natalie), their mother Donna, and his beloved granddaughter Charlotte. He is also survived by his brother John (Elizabeth), nieces Tanya, Bridget, and Catherine, great nieces Madison, Isabella and Evie, nephew Michael and great nephew Declan. He was predeceased by his parents and his younger brother Stephen.

Dad arrived in Canada as an infant through Pier 21 in the arms of his mother, a young war bride, and his older brother to reunite with their father, a World War II soldier from Stanley Bridge, PEI. In the early 50s, the Walsh family moved to Saint Andrews and built their home on Parr Street. 

He graduated from UNB with a degree in education, and began his long academic career as a Phys. Ed. teacher in Saint John and Kensington, PEI. During his many years as a high school principal in Canterbury and then Blackville, Dad had an impact on the lives of countless students. 

In 1967 Dad married the girl next door, Donna Reed, and they raised four children.

Dad enthusiastically took the family on a one-year adventure to Gainesville, Florida in the early 1980s where he earned his Masters Degree in Education at the University of Florida.

Dad and Mom owned several businesses over the years, including Computer Concepts (with locations in Renous, Fredericton, Newcastle and Bathurst), a Video Pros franchise in Saint Andrews, a Sears outlet in Saint Andrews and then in St. Stephen. They also owned a commercial property business.

Dad was an exceptional photographer. He dabbled in videography and eventually opened his last business venture, Black Swan, a small printing and design shop in downtown Saint Andrews in the late 1990s.

He taught computer courses and upgrading through NBCC and also became a licensed realtor in Charlotte County. Dad also worked for several years as the librarian at the maximum security prison in Renous. 

Dad loved to tell stories and he loved to write. He wrote poems and short stories that were featured in The Reader magazine, The Miramichi Leader and a Chicken Soup for the Soul book. In 2002 he researched and wrote the tale of the last hanging in Saint Andrews in a self-published book.

While spending his last 20 years in his log cabin along the banks of the Miramichi River, Dad’s creativity flourished. He taught himself to draw and was an incredibly talented graphite artist - winning prizes for his work.

Dad was a force of nature. He had an adventurous spirit and an incredible resiliency. His wry sense of humour and sheer determination helped him face 40 years of chronic pain and health issues that limited him physically but never stole his zest for life. His quick wit and his razor sharp intellect was intact until the very end.

We cannot express enough thanks to the extramural nurses, his wonderful home care support workers, and especially Vicky who has been with him these last 5 years. It was through their care and love that Dad was able to remain in his beloved home until the end.

Friends are invited to join the family in remembering and celebrating David on Thursday, July 18 at 11 am at the Anglican Church Hall in Saint Andrews. 

For those who are unable to attend the Funeral Service in person, a Livestream/recording of the service will be made available. To access click on the provided link, provide your name and either your email or a cell phone number, agree to the terms and conditions by checking the box and click verify email. An email or text message will be sent to you, open the message, and click the large blue "Click Here" a new access page will open.Click here to watch Livestream

In David’s memory, donations can be made to charities that meant a lot to him: the SPCA and Charlotte County Cancer.