Thomas Joseph Walsh

Albany-Thomas J. Walsh of Albany, NY and Chatham, MA died peacefully June 30, 2016 surrounded by his family after a brief illness. He was 80 years old. At the time of his passing, he was the senior partner of the Albany law firm of Walsh and Hacker, having kept working up until the last few weeks before his passing. Born in Manhattan, he was the eldest son of the late John Walsh and Ellen Cremins Walsh. He graduated from Vincentian Institute in Albany. Thomas went on to Siena College and then to Albany Law School, graduating in 1960. After graduation, he began practicing law and soon thereafter started his own law firm. He had the good fortune of meeting Leo V. Hacker and the two of them together, through hard work and dedication, built the law firm of Walsh and Hacker, where 49 years later it still thrives. During his 56 years of a rewarding law practice, he was admitted to the New York State Bar and the US District Court, Northern District of New York. He was also a member of the Albany County Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, American Bar Association, New York State Trial Lawyers Association, American Trial Lawyers Association, The Defense Research Institute, as well as The College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers. He also served as an Albany County Democratic Committeeman working in his election district on behalf of Albany County Democratic candidates. While building his law practice, Thomas also raised a family of seven children, providing for them and ensuring the benefits and rewards of higher education, thus giving them a firm footing from which to start and build their own careers and families. This was his greatest gift. Throughout his life, Thomas never faltered with respect to his Catholic faith. It saw him through the good times and the bad times, and comforted him in his last days. Thomas is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 57 years, Suzanne, his children, Claire Rehfuss (Stephen), Nancy Julien (Thomas), Peter, Kara Tedesco (Joseph), Sheila Hepp (David), Catherine Bugliari (Anthony), Maura Sommer (James), and his brother, Patrick Walsh (Joanne), 23 grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews. His loving sibling, Sister Mary Ann Walsh, R.S.M., predeceased him. The Walsh Family would like to extend its gratitude to the partners, associates and staff of Walsh and Hacker, who have been so supportive and have never wavered through this trying time. Relatives and friends are invited to attend Thomas’ wake to be held at the Chapel of the Convent of Mercy, 634 New Scotland Ave, Albany on Wednesday, July 6, 2016. Viewing hours are 4:00pm to 8:00pm. The Liturgy of Christian Death and Burial will be celebrated at 10:00am on Thursday, July 7, 2016 at Historic St. Mary’s Church, Lodge Street, Downtown Albany. Interment will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery, Albany (Menands). Those wishing to remember Thomas may make a donation to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany.

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Thomas Joseph Walsh

February 1, 1936 - June 30, 2016