DATE: Tuesday, September 16, 1997           TAG: 9709160224
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B9   EDITION: FINAL 

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   30 lines

PAPPY WALSH

Pappy Walsh, 85, of the 5300 block of Marian Lane died Sept. 14, 1997.

He was born in Taunton, Mass., and had retired from the U.S. Navy as a musician first class with 24 years of service. He was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church and the Fleet Reserve Branch No. 60. During World War II, Walsh was the bandmaster on the USS Idaho. He was considered one of the finest entertainers in the business and was widely known throughout the Navy, especially in the Tidewater area, where he played the piano at the Little Creek Officers Club for 30 years. He had led combo and group ``sing-a-longs'' for many leading official functions involving the highest-ranking American and foreign military and civilian officials. He had entertained several officers at the ensign level through their career to the rank of admiral. His popularity extended to paid gigs throughout the United States. Pappy was arguably the best-known enlisted man in the Navy, and had made a lasting impact on the lives of those who enjoyed his music over the years. Survivors include his wife, Margaret Alice Walsh and a brother, Donald Walsh of Taunton.

A funeral will be conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday in Little Creek Amphibious Base Chapel by Fr. Joseph A. Ceriello. Burial with full military honors will be in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. A Fleet Reserve service will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Bayside Chapel, followed by a Christian wake service. The family will remain at the funeral home Wednesday until 9 p.m. to greet friends. KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY

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