Gerald M. Walsh

Columbiana - Gerald “Jerry” M. Walsh, 84, passed away on Tuesday morning, December 19, 2023, at Whispering Pines. 

Jerry was born May 13, 1939 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of the late John and Mary O’Shea Walsh. Jerry was proud of his Irish Catholic upbringing. He attended both elementary and high school in the Chicago parochial school system, graduating from Leo High School. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Commerce from DePaul University. 

Jerry received his professional calling when he worked in the tax department of a CPA firm in Chicago. Relocating to Boardman, Ohio, he worked for Hill, Barth and King for 22 years, retiring as a senior executive in 1996. Jerry was appointed Executive Director of the Youngstown Foundation in 1997. He retired from the Youngstown Foundation in 2006. 

Jerry was an active member of the Mahoning Valley. He served in leadership positions on a number of organization boards, including the St. Elizabeth Hospital Medical Center, Mahoning National Bank, Mahoning Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America, the Community Foundation, as well as numerous committees for the Diocese of Youngstown. Jerry served on the board of directors of Walsh University from 2001-2013 and was honored to be named its first lay chairman in 2011. He also was a founding member of the Buchanan Family Foundation in Lake Forest, Illinois. 

Jerry was a member of St. Jude and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Columbiana. During retirement, he enjoyed traveling and wintering with his wife, Judy on Anna Marie Island, Florida. Jerry loved sports, seeing all of the Major League Baseball Fields, was on his bucket list. Jerry was an avid Notre Dame fan. His love was passed on to three of his children, who each graduated from the university. 

Jerry is survived by his wife, Judy Walsh; three daughters, Cathy (Randy) Cailor of Norcross, Georgia, Jeannie (Brian) Tierney of Coppell, Texas, and Patricia (Dave) Smith of Orland Park, Illinois; one son, Daniel (Mark) Walsh of Washington DC; stepdaughter, Michele (Dan) Culver of Akron, Ohio; stepson, Ryan Core of Salt Lake City, Utah; and fourteen grandchildren. He leaves a brother, John (Jack) Walsh of Maryland. A sister, Kathleen, preceded him in death. 

Friends will be received from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at the Davis-Becker Funeral Home, 8536 Market St., Boardman. Visitation honoring Jerry will also be held Wednesday, December 27, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at St. Jude Church, 180 Seventh St., Columbiana, with a Mass of Christian Burial immediately following, at 11 a.m.. 

The family wishes to thank the staff at Whispering Pines along with the staff from Hospice, which includes Debbie, Dennis, Lisa and Renee. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of the Valley, 979 Tibbetts-Wick Rd., Girard, OH 44420. 

Please visit www.beckerobits.com to share memories and condolences with the family.