John E. Walsh

John E. Walsh, 94,  of Middlesex N.J. passed away suddenly on October 9, 2023, at Somerset Medical Center with family by his side.  He was born to Elsie and Frank Walsh on October 25, 1928, in Newark N.J.  He spent most of his early life in Newark, before marrying Ella Mae Luithle in 1951 and moving to North Plainfield, where they raised their three daughters.  After many years in North Plainfield he moved with Ella Mae to Middlesex in 1986.

He was an Army veteran having served in the Pacific region during the post-World War 2 era. He spent most of his working career with the Genesco Corporation, beginning as a shoe salesman and working up to district manager, at one time managing as many as 40 stores in the N.J – N.Y. region.  In his semi-retirement years he worked at Far Brook School in Short Hills, Mastro Shoe Store in Bernardsville, and Furs by Guarino in East Brunswick and Green Brook, only fully retiring when he was 92  years old.

He is pre-deceased by his wife Ella Mae and granddaughter Erin Mary and six siblings.  He is survived by his daughter Marianne (Joseph) Cummins, Susan (Gary) Johnston, and Joan (William) DeGuilo.  He is also survived by his grandchildren Keith (Brigid), Eric (Bobbie), Kenneth, Caitlin (Matt), Kevin, Molly, Brandon, and Kelsey (Emmet); his greatgrandchildren – Emmy, Gemma, Hailey, Levi, Maggie, Teddy, and Erin Marie; sister-in-law Ruth Walsh; and several nieces and nephews.

John always put family first; they were the pride and joy of his life.  He left school at 14 to help support his mother and younger siblings. He enlisted in the army in 1946 and served in  Korea, while also completing his GED.  After returning home he met and married his beautiful bride Elle Mae Luithle in 1951.

He was a devoted husband and father to his three daughters and adored all his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Working many long, hard hours as a shoe salesman in the early years, he would come home very late many night to help his children with homework  assignments and on Christmas Eves to help surprise his children with a decorated tree on Christmas morning.  He had a wonderful sense of humor, and was a gifted artist and story teller. He was a champion whistler and enjoyed limericks, writing  many of his own (the sillier the better). He also could be caught singing Irish tunes, complete with an Irish brogue.   In the later years of his life, he often could be found at the Pancake House enjoying a meal with family, or picking up some burgers at McDonalds on the way to Mountainview Park, where he would spend hours reading a paperback book.  He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

A memorial mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Church in North Plainfield, NJ on Saturday Oct 28th at 9:30 AM. For those that wish, donations can be made in his name to his favorite charities, St. Jude’s, and the Salvation Army. 

Funeral arrangements are being made through Sheenan funeral home with a memorial service planned for October 28 at ST. Joseph’s Church in North Plainfield.

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