Submitted by his family
Joseph F. Walsh‚ 76‚ had served with Keansburg Fire Department for 54 years‚ as well as Keansburg First Aid Squad and EMS. He was Fire Police for the past couple of years and involved with the Historical Society and Legionnaire’s (veterans). He worked for the KMUA‚ Parking Meters‚ St. Ann’s and St. Joe’s Schools‚ and was a Store Owner for more than 50 years. He had also served our country from 1946-1955 (being on Active duty from 1953-1955) in the Army Reserve Artillery Infantry and the Army Reserves National Guard (cavalry) as a Marksman. He served in the Korean War. His rank was Private First Class being moved to Corporal on June 14‚ 1955. He received a National Defense Service Medal.
Joe had many wonderful qualities. He was caring and always willing to lend a helping hand. He was friends to young and old and was called Blue by his friends from the Fire Department‚ after an old character from the movie Old School. He will always be missed and remembered by all. We love you POP!!
God bless You Joe.. You will never be forgotten by us in Keansburg..
– Laura Lopez,My condoleances to The Entire family
– Joanne DeWiseLast month has been 11 years since Joe’s passing, and it’s still hard to believe that such a wonderful and caring, community-minded man was so needlessly and tragically taken away from us by a driver proven to be under the influence of alcohol. Joe was acting in the capacity of a Fire Police Officer, directing traffic on a seemingly routine call at our local High School. The driver, who took the back roads to avoid the police because she knew that she was drinking, took Joe away from us that fateful 2005 August night.
Not many people can think of a story about Joe that doesn’t bring a smile to their faces, especially when he had “Walsh’s Sweet Shop” which was a local favorite destination for decades. I personally remember playing Little League baseball at the fields across from Walsh’s and after every game, going there for an ice cream cone.
Later when I joined the Fire Department in 1995, I had the privilege to work along side of Joe, even more so in late ’98 when the FD took over the volunteer EMS operation for the Borough. Joe and I are a couple of the Charter Members.
For our small town of barely one square mile, our year-round population was about 10,000 – 12,000 residents, not counting the swell in population over the summer months which easily doubled the people in town, especially holidays. We’re a shore community with an amusement park.
At that time we averaged roughly 1,600 calls for aid per year, and Joe had one of the highest percentages of anyone in addition to manning a 6pm – 6 am duty shift each week.
A memorial now stands in his honor at the Keansburg Fire Company, which also includes the names of five other LODD firefighters, since the organization of Keansburg’s first Firehouse in 1912. Tragically the Borough of Keansburg is currently tied with the distinction of having the most Line of Duty Deaths in Monmouth County, NJ.
Joe’s name will not be forgotten anytime soon, having a memorial sticker on all of the firetrucks and ambulances in town, a yearly motorcycle run and High School scholarship in his name, and a Utility Vehicle bearing the designation of 96, Joe’s helmet shield number and later on his Fire Police designation of FP-96.
God Speed Joe, we all miss you, and thank you for your selfless service to your Family, Community, and Nation.
– FF Steve Catena, Keansburg Fire DepartmentDearest Walsh family .. I’ve been trying to locate his daughter .. to let her know what a wonderful man her father was . I was hurt badly on my bike on church street in front of his store .. when I was a young teen .. he came out and carried me inside of walshes sweet shop . His unselfish caring act was a a Godsend to me . I will never forget . God bless you me John Walsh . Cynthia Seitz
– Cynthia seitz