Deacon Joseph A. “Joe” Walsh, 71, died at his River Forest home on March 3, 2016. Born on Dec. 23, 1944, he was a member of Oak Park’s Ascension Parish for 67 years, graduate of Ascension School and St. Ignatius High School and received his undergraduate degree from Loyola University in Chicago, his master’s degree from Loyola University School of Social Work, and his doctorate in social work from University of Illinois Chicago. He eventually became Dean Emeritus of the Loyola University School of Social Work.
In 2009, he was ordained to the diaconate of the Archdiocese of Chicago.
He was very active in Oak Park community affairs, including past-president of the District 97 Elementary School Board, a member of the Oak Park Mental Health Board, and volunteered in several organizations.
Joe Walsh is survived by his wife, Katherine; his children, David (Danita), Laura (Michael) Stawczyk, Maureen (Eric) Hilquist, and Matthew (Alex); nine grandchildren; his siblings, Mary B. (Sam) Winklebleck, Clare (Norman) Sobiesk, Joanne Lovell, Kathleen, Sheila (Edward) Scanlan, Patrick (Betsy), Kevin (Jean), and Denis (Cecile); and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation is planned for Tuesday, March 8 from 3 to 8 p.m. at Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home. Mass will be celebrated at Ascension Church on Wednesday, March 9 at 10 a.m., followed by interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates donations to Little Brothers, Friends of the Elderly www.littlebrotherschicago.org.
