Joseph L. Walsh

Walsh, Joseph L., of Margate, passed away from natural causes on Sunday, October 10, 2021, just one day shy of his 89th birthday. Joseph is survived by his wife of fifty-two (52) years, Helen W. Walsh; his children, Adam Walsh (Anne) of Arlington, VA, and Maurine Oosthuizen (Morne’) of Montclair, NJ; and three beloved grandchildren, Ava (17), Caroline (14), and Drystan (12). Joe was not a native of South Jersey, but he loved his morning walks on the Ventnor Boardwalk, the Phillies, and the ebb and flow of life at the Shore. Helen and he moved to the area in 1972 when Joe joined the faculty of Stockton University, then-Stockton State College, for its inaugural academic year. He remained at Stockton through 2003, achieving the honor of Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Religion while teaching courses on Plato, existentialism, and political philosophy. Joe was especially proud that Stockton named its Atlantic City Academic Center after civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer at his recommendation, linking his longtime commitment to civil rights with his love for Stockton. Joe was born on October 11, 1932, in Shenandoah, PA, to Raymond and Dorothy Walsh, and he was the eldest of three sons: Raymond (Jean) Walsh of Springfield, VA, who pre-deceased Joe in 2018, and James Walsh (Adam Klein) of Philadelphia and Atlantic City. After graduating from Shenandoah Catholic High School in 1950, Joe joined a religious community of priests known as The Paulist Fathers, and he remained a priest until 1966. He received a B.A. from St. Paul College in Washington, DC, an M.A. from Wayne State University, a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from The Catholic University of America and a Ph.D. from Brandeis University. He authored over fifty (50) scholarly works during an illustrious academic career. After retiring from Stockton, Joe became a trained psychoanalyst at the Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia, and then maintained a small practice serving patients in the Atlantic County area. Although he certainly led a cerebral “life of the mind,” Joe was happiest rooting for Notre Dame football, politely arguing politics with friends and family, espousing opinions in letters to the editor of the Atlantic City Press and bumping into former students at local environs. His big smile and jubilant laugh are already missed.

Visitation will be 9AM to 10AM on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, with a funeral mass to follow at 10AM at Holy Trinity Parish, Blessed Sacrament Church, 11 N. Kenyon Avenue, Margate NJ 08402. Mausoleum service will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Mays Landing. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to The Stockton Foundation: https://stockton.edu/developmentfoundation/foundation/index.html, in memory of Joseph L. Walsh. Memories, thoughts and prayers can be extended to the family by visiting www.parselsfh.com.