Dennis Thomas Walsh

When asked what mattered to him most, Dennis replied “Faith, Family, Friends, Liberty and Equality.” Guided by these principles, he was a devoted husband, brother, father, grandfather and friend who will forever be remembered for his warm smile and boisterous laugh, scientific and intellectual curiosity and caring and generous nature.

Dennis was born January 6, 1949, to Patricia McGue Walsh and Edward J. Walsh, Sr. in Teaneck, NJ. He passed peacefully on November 8, 2024, surrounded by loved ones on Cape Cod.

When his family doctor recommended warmer temperatures and salt water to treat his eczema in infancy, Dennis’ family moved to Fort Lauderdale. Perhaps that early ocean connection inspired his future career in marine biology. Dennis enjoyed playing with neighborhood friends, swimming, stargazing, exploring nature, and fishing with his father and grandfather. His adventurous side led to a propensity for “experiments” with fireworks! Dennis was close to his mother and often credited her for instilling in him a strong work ethic and compassion for others.

As a teenager, Dennis’ family moved to Richmond, VA and spent summers in NJ where he was surrounded by supportive extended family. Dennis attended John Marshall High School. He was involved in STEM programs, Key Club, and varsity football (earning a trophy for Most Academic) while also working a part-time job.

Dennis attended the College of William and Mary where he graduated with honors in biology while engaged in a work study program. He developed lifelong friendships as a proud member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. Dennis enjoyed the time he devoted to his lab work to earn a master's degree from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

Although their families had known each other for years, it was not until college that Dennis started dating his beloved Rita. They were married in 1972 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Richmond and recently celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary. Dennis was a loyal and devoted husband who cherished taking neighborhood walks and watching the sunset at Corporation Beach with Rita. Together they raised three children. It was important to them that the family be together to share meals and stories of their days. Dennis took immense pride in his children and grandchildren and made an effort to participate in their lives - like allowing a young Kristen to direct him in dance moves from atop his feet, launching model rockets in the Cape dunes with Ryan, playing backyard sports games with Anna, and building sandcastles at the beach with his grandchildren.

Professionally, Dennis’ first job was at Old Dominion University monitoring water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. Dennis then directed a scallop project for the Wampanoag Indian Tribe of Gay Head, MA before becoming Director of Research at the Aquaculture Research Corporation, in Dennis, MA. Later, Dennis ran his own aquaculture consulting business that took him up and down the east coast and even to Chile. For the second half of his career, Dennis worked as the Assistant Administrator at the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority, where he managed grants until retirement. Throughout all these jobs, Dennis was valued not only for being intelligent, dedicated and organized but also as a friend.

During his retirement, Dennis was particularly devoted to volunteer work. He was a faithful lector at Our Lady of the Cape Church, a math tutor at the Wixon Middle School, a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity Re-store, and a mentor with SCORE.

Dennis was an avid reader and organic gardener, and always being health conscious, he later in life discovered his enjoyment of running. He was surprised to win first place medals in the 70+ age group in back to back years during the annual Andrea Holden 5K race. Dennis enjoyed traveling, especially with his wife Rita, to numerous state and national parks and a memorable trip to the Galapagos with his daughter Anna. His fondest memories were those spent with family and friends.

Surviving are his loving wife Rita L. (Welsh) Walsh, and children Kristen Mercurio (Marc), Ryan Patrick Walsh, and Anna Braun (Roman). He also leaves special grandchildren Matthew Mercurio, Abigail Mercurio, Emma Braun and Remy Braun. He is survived by his cherished siblings Edward J. Walsh (Linda), Sharon Harris (Daniel) and Catherine Bos (Howard). He will be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The family is grateful to the doctors, nurses and staff at MGH, Cordwainer and the McCarthy Care hospice.

A memorial mass at Our Lady of the Cape Church, Brewster, MA will be celebrated on Friday, December. 6, 2024 at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dennis’ memory to either: Virginia Institute of Marine

Science Impact fund at https://giving.wm.edu/ways-to-give/annual-giving/vims/ or by calling

757-221-1008 or to further Lewy Body Dementia Research at Massachusetts General Hospital

https://because.massgeneral.org/fundraiser/5935629.