Support the Walsh Family

Michael T Walsh, 47, of Melrose, MA (formerly of Malden), passed away peacefully on Wednesday, 10/12/22, after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer, with his wife and sister by his side. Mike set the bar on how life should be lived.

Beloved and devoted husband of Kelly Mahoney Walsh, loving and proud father of 12-year-old twins Tyler and Ella. He was predeceased by his loving parents, Thomas and Suzanne Walsh. Amazing brother to Carrie Deterding and her husband Greg of Saugus, MA, brother-in-law to Patrick and Silvia Funiciello of Fort Worth, TX, Jim and Lisa Malarkey of Stoneham, MA, and Colum and Kaite (Mary Mahoney) Clarke of Hanover, MA. Devoted uncle of Taylor, Julia, Emily, Riley, Jack, Emma, Colum Jr, Leonardo, and Sofia. Dog dad to Molly May.

Mike was born and raised in Malden, Massachusetts, where he attended Malden Public Schools before enrolling as a Merchant Marine in the Engineering Program at Mass Maritime Academy. Mike was not only a scholar but a gifted athlete who excelled in baseball and hockey while pursuing his educational career. As rewarding as this aspect of his life was, the proudest moments in his life came later.

Kelly and Mike are high school sweethearts and have spent more time together than apart. Though their story began in the 10th grade at Malden High School, their journey continued for 30 more years. They were meant to be together from the very beginning. Their love for each other was admirable and never-ending. While their journey together was truncated, they lived more in one lifetime together than others would have, given several lifetimes.

Whenever Mike wasn’t working as an engineer, he was teaching his children everything about life and how it should be lived, from the silliness of putting together a puzzle on a rainy day to how to be responsible citizens by cutting the grass and shoveling the snow on a New England snow day. These are life lessons that they will never forget and ones that will help Kelly in the coming months and years. Mike was the ultimate teacher, he believed that his children needed to know how to be resilient and build independence. Tyler and Ella are definitely his most proud accomplishments.

Mike was also a devoted friend and colleague. If you were lucky enough to be considered his friend, you knew that you were special. Mike would drop everything to help his friends, and his friends would drop everything to help him. This became evident when the entire Mass Maritime Academy baseball team visited him at the hospital in his final days. He held them in his heart despite time and distance.

After graduating from Mass Maritime, he and Kelly began to build their future together. They purchased their first house in Melrose, bringing home their beautiful twins, Tyler and Ella.

Mike was an amazing husband to Kelly and father to Tyler and Ella he was the father that every kid wanted to have; a coach, mentor, and friend. He coached sports, taught the kids (and friends) how to skate, ski, and golf, and while he did his best with his wide circle of friends, some truly, still aren’t very good.

Mike was also a great friend to everyone he met. He offered advice, assistance, and a helping hand to all of his neighbors and friends.

Mike’s legacy lives on through his family, friends, neighbors, and community. Those that knew Mike know that truly describing Mike and the way he lived his life practically defies words. The last and final moments of Mike’s life were bathed in love, music, and words. Mike’s loved ones have said, “I have always respected you and will honor you always,” “I hope you see how much of an impact you’ve made [on my life],” and “you might not know, but you were the guy I looked up to and tried to model.” “You are truly the toughest, most generous, and honest man we know you are a rock. A guidepost we lean on”. “Our lives are significantly better because of the people, places, and hobbies you introduced us to,” “we believe you are a true warrior in the strength you have shown, and that is the legacy you will leave your children. Mike’s parting words to us all “I’m good.”

Visitation will be held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St. Melrose, on Sunday, October 16, 2022, from 2:00-5:00 PM, followed by a funeral service at the Gately Funeral Home on Monday morning, October 17th, at 10:00 AM. Relatives & friends are respectfully invited to attend. The interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mike’s name to PANCAN, (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network) @ www.pancan.org.

Update 10/10/2022

Kelly is completely overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support for her family. We are all so grateful for everything. Mike is resting comfortably at the Kaplan House and he has a wonderful team taking care of him. Kelly and Carrie are there with him along with a few other family members. They are so thankful for everything. Tyler, Ella, and Molly are home in Melrose with Lisa's family. We will continue to update this page daily.

Please feel free to reach out to us for more information. Thank you so much!

Lisa, Carrie, & Katie

UPDATE 10/7/22

Mike has been moved to the Kaplan Hospice House in Danvers. He and Kelly are overwhelmed by the ongoing support that they have received. Your generous donations are allowing Kelly to spend as much time as possible with Mike while the twins continue with school, sports, and other activities. Our families are eternally grateful for the gifts of food, services, time, prayers, and financial contributions to this campaign. Mike has had so many friends and family members reach out to tell him how much he is loved and it means the world to him. Please keep Mike, Kelly, Ella, Tyler, and Molly in your thoughts and prayers. Katie and Lisa

Hello

Our brother-in-law Mike was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer last September, just one year ago. If you know Mike, you know that he is a fighter. After multiple surgeries and countless rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, he remains in the ICU at Tufts. Now he is fighting for his life and more time with Kelly, Tyler, and Ella. Kelly and Mike are high school sweethearts; they have been together for over 30 years. I don’t remember a time when Mike was not part of our family.

Kelly has been unable to work for a few months, and Mike hasn’t worked in over a year. Ella and Tyler are 12-year-old twins who love to play sports and spend time with their friends and family. Whenever Mike isn't working, he is making memories with his family. He coached every sport and taught Tyler and Ella how to ski, swim, play hockey, golf, baseball, and tennis. He is their biggest fan and their best teacher.

We created this gofundme page to help Kelly and the twins through this challenging time. We don’t know when Kelly will be able to go back to work, and we would like to help with their expenses.

Any unused funds from this campaign will be used to set up a charitable foundation in Mike’s name. We hope to bring back his annual golf tournament that he started a few years ago to raise money for cancer research.

Organized by Katie Clarke and Lisa Funiciello, Kelly's sisters.