“Every neighborhood has its behind-the-scenes hero someone who keeps things going, who always has an eye out who everyone knows they can turn to in times of trouble. In Dorchester, Doc Walsh is that guy.”

– Award citation 2014

When an older brother decided not to take a trip to the US, Patrick Walsh took his place and emigrated to Boston, settling first in Norwood. Once here, he enlisted in the Army National Guard, and when assigned a job in the base hospital at Fort Dix, NJ, a buddy nicknamed him “Doc,” and the name stuck.

As a young man, he loved dancing, and frequented local Irish dance halls, meeting the “love of his life,” Bridget Fahy, and together they had three children. In 1982, his wife suffered a brain aneurysm and survived in a coma until her death in 1992. He raised their three children, first working as a groundskeeper for the Columban Fathers, and later establishing his own landscaping and clean-out business.

A 2021 tribute by the Irish Pastoral Centre said of him, “He became involved in helping his fellow Irishman who would had hit hard times and was in need of assistance. He has been involved in countless benefits, including the African missions, the Columban Fathers, the Columban Sisters, and he helped launch the annual fundraiser Irish Hearts for Haiti.

“The Irish community rallied behind the Walsh family and quickly organized a benefit to help Doc, who was now a single parent, raise his family. It was this kindness that would help Doc become the man he is today, and the face behind most benefits that have been organized in the Irish community over the last 30 years.”

He leaves two sons, John P. Walsh and his wife Julie of Milton; Brian J. Walsh of Dorchester, and  a daughter, Laura A. Creed and her husband James of Bridgewater. Devoted Papa of Patrick Joseph “PJ” Walsh, Caroline Walsh, Bridget Creed, Emma Creed and William Doc Creed. Brother of Mary Flaherty of Norwood, Bert Walsh and Mattie Walsh, both of Ireland, and the late John Walsh, Martin Walsh, Tommy Walsh and Micheal Walsh.