W. James Walsh died on July 13, 2018 in Skillman, N.J., two months short of his 98 th birthday. Mr. Walsh was born in Newark, N.J. on September 17, 1920. He was predeceased by his mother, Alice (Gibbs) Walsh and father, William J. Walsh. He graduated from Newark Academy and Princeton University, where he was a member of the basketball team and the Cannon Club. Mr. Walsh was a member of the Princeton Class of 1943, which was graduated on an accelerated basis in January of that year to allow class members to serve in World War II. On graduation, Mr. Walsh joined the Army and served in the 43 rd Infantry Division as a first lieutenant. He saw fighting in the Solomon Islands, New Guinea and the Philippines and was awarded the Bronze Star for his “coolness under fire” and was commended by his CO as “a brave and gallant soldier.”
On returning from the war, Mr. Walsh received his JD from Rutgers University Law School. He worked as a labor relations attorney for his entire career. After passing the New York bar Mr. Walsh met the love of his life, Mary Frances Hildebrand, in New York City. They were married in 1950 and have three daughters. Mr. Walsh and his family lived for many years in Upper Montclair, N.J. as well as in Saginaw, MI and in 1969 moved to Princeton. He was most recently a resident of the Stonebridge Montgomery retirement community in Skillman, N.J.
From his student days onward Princeton University was near to his heart. Mr. Walsh was the President of the Princeton Class of 1943 at his death, a position he held for over 20 years, and was tireless in working for the University’s Annual Giving campaigns. He was thrilled to have attended his 75 th reunion in June of this year. Mr. Walsh was also a member and past President of the Old Guard, a member of the Nassau Club and the Nassau Presbyterian Church for many years. Mr. Walsh is survived by his wife, Mary H. Walsh, his three daughters and their husbands (Cynthia Walsh and Rene Milo, Diana and Paul Magnin and Jennifer and Bernard Wharton), five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Arrangements are under the direction of The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton.
