John Francis Walsh of Ormond Beach, FL died peacefully in his home on June 6th, 2026. He lived a life defined by faith, love, service, and devotion to family. He touched countless lives through his kindness, leadership, and unwavering commitment to others. John was born in New York, NY to Irish immigrants Michael Walsh and Margaret O’Shea. He was the eldest of three siblings, and grew up sharing countless adventures and happy times with his sister Kiki (Kathleen) and brother Michael in Cambria Heights, Queens where John loved listening to radio shows such as The Lone Ranger and cheering on the Yankees, his lifelong favorite team. John graduated from St. Johns Prep High School in 1954. He received a BA Degree in English and History in 1958 and his MA in Secondary Education in 1963, both from St. John’s University. He earned his PhD in Educational Administration from NYU in 1975. 

John honed his leadership skills as a commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps from 1958-1961, attaining the rank of First Lieutenant. John’s career in education began in 1961 as an English teacher at St. Helena’s High School in the Bronx, and later taught in Farmingdale. He served as an administrator in several Long Island school districts, and spent the majority of his career, from 1979 to 1997, working for Connetquot Schools as the Assistant Superintendent for Administration and Personnel. Education was both his profession and his passion, and one of his proudest moments was presenting high school diplomas to each of his four daughters as graduates of Connetquot High School. 

John met the love of his life, Peggy (Margaret) Watson on a blind date and they were married in 1969. John and Peggy raised their four daughters in Oakdale, NY, where they were surrounded by neighbors who became close friends. The family would pile into the station wagon for road trips to Florida, with John behind the wheel and Peggy as his trusty navigator, often stopping to visit family and friends along the way. In retirement, they shared a love of travel, filling their passports with adventures around the world. Among their most meaningful journeys was a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Cana, where they renewed their wedding vows.

After moving to Florida in 2012, John became an active volunteer with the Knights of Columbus, where he was a lecturer, recorder and right to life advocate. For many years he enjoyed playing BINGO as a volunteer with the veterans. John is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 57 years, Peggy; his daughters Sheila Barsky, Michele (Adrian)Treacy, Joan (John) Boland, Mary Walsh (Joseph Kulesa); granddaughters Lauren, Josephine, Jillian, Clare, Natalie, Maeve and Margo, brother Michael, sister Kiki (Frank) Fallon; numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends, all who will miss him greatly. He was pre-deceased by his parents Michael and Margaret, and his sister-in-law Eleanor Walsh. Even in his passing, John showed his dedication to education and service by planning for his body to be donated to science. A memorial service will take place on July 1st at 10am at St. Lawrence the Martyr in Sayville, NY. There will also be a memorial service on August 7th at 1pm at St. Brendan the Navigator in Ormond Beach, Florida, followed by a reception at St. Brendan’s.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Brendan’s Outreach, in Ormond Beach, FL: www.stbrendanchurchormond.org or St. John’s Nepomucene Parish Outreach in Bohemia, NY: stjohnnepomucene.com (on both websites please choose the Outreach option for donating).