Bernard Matthew Walsh: Obituary

Bernard Matthew Walsh

1935 – 2018

Bernard M. “Bernie” Walsh whose career in the Packaging Department (Mailroom) at the Baltimore Sun newspapers spanned 48 years, died of respiratory failure on November 12, 2018 at the Northside Cherokee Hospital in Canton, Georgia. He was 83.

Mr. Walsh was born in 1935 in Detroit and raised in South Bend, Indiana. After moving to Baltimore, he attended parochial schools before being hired in 1951 by the A.S. Abell Co., then publisher of The Baltimore Sun Newspapers as a “wartime temporary substitute” apprentice. He was later advanced to a regular apprentice and the graduated to Journeyman status.

In 1957 he began a 13-year career as a labor union official rising through the ranks from shop steward to Vice President of the International Mailers Union with jurisdiction over more than 90 local unions throughout the country in the newspaper and printing industry. In 1970 he retired from all union offices to devote his time to his family and career at The Sun while working toward eventually earning his college degree.

In the mid 1970’s, he was promoted to operations supervision and later promoted to management status at The Sun where he held many responsible positions including Assistant Superintendent of the Packaging Department. He retired in 1999.

He was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Knights of Columbus, and was a volunteer Patient Representative for years at The Good Samaritan Hospital. He and his wife moved to Canton, Georgia in 2011.

His wife, the former Margaret E. Akehurst, died in 2012 and sister Betty Ann Hall predeceased him in death. He is survived by his daughter, Regina Walsh Davis of Canton, Georgia; son, Bernard “Matt” Walsh III of Bethlehem, PA.; and two grandsons, Thomas Matthew Davis and Michael Patrick Davis of Canton, Georgia; sister, Ernestine Willinghan of Millersville, MD, and many nieces and nephews.

No services are planned.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church, 1908 Waleska Highway 108, Jasper, GA 30143 in memory of Mr. Walsh.