Father Patrick Walsh died at his home on Tuesday, June 23, 2015. He was 69.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, July 2, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Henry Catholic Church in Gresham with a reception to follow. A private inurnment will be held at Gethsemani Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Sandy Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 from 2:00 until 5:00 p.m.
Patrick F. Walsh was born on March 26, 1946 in Portland, the son of Patrick Sr. and Gertrude (Matthes) Walsh. Pat received his elementary education at St. Ignatius Grade School and graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1964. He furthered his studies at Mt. Angel Seminary from 1964 until 1972. On May 20, 1972, he was ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral by Archbishop Robert Dwyer.
Father Pat served as an Associate Pastor at St. Peter Parish in Portland from 1972 until 1982. He then became Pastor of St. Mary Parish in Albany from 1982 until 1994. From 1994 until 2001 he was assigned as Pastor of St. Alice Parish in Springfield. Father Pat moved to Sandy where he served as Pastor at St. Michael Catholic Church from 2001 until 2012 when he retired. Besides fulfilling his responsibilities at St. Michael’s, he also served as Pastor at St. Aloysius in Estacada and St. John in Welches from 2007-2012.
Father Pat had a passion for the Catholic Deaf Community and has served as Pastor for them since 1972. He helped establish the Archdiocesan office for Deaf Ministry in 1973 and the office for People with Disabilities in 1978. He earned a Masters in Social Work from Portland State University in 1977. He was a program director for St. Vincent de Paul Rehabilitation Services from 1978 until 1979. He also was interim Director of Catholic Charities from 1980 until 1982.
Father Pat loved to garden and spend time on his property. He had a passion for helping the youth find their faith.
Surviving is his sister Kathleen Hynes of Bellevue, Nebraska; his brother Thomas Walsh of Portland; 7 nieces and nephews and their families and many dear friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and by his sister Elizabeth Hastings in 2013.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Catholic Deaf Ministry – 2838 East Burnside Portland, Oregon 97214.