Attorney Paul Francis Walsh, Jr. passed away on Tuesday July 2, 2024, of heart failure at St Anne's Hospital in Fall River. Born in New Bedford to Dr. Paul F. Walsh and Mrs. Patricia (Maloney) Walsh, Paul was educated at area public and parochial schools and gained early fame in basketball as a star athlete. At Holy Family High School, along with Stevie Gomes, Paul co-captained the 1972 HFHS state championship basketball game against North Andover.

A graduate of Providence College, Paul spent several years abroad working in Ireland and later studying Portuguese at the University of Lisbon. Fluent in Portuguese, Paul returned to MA, enrolled at Suffolk Law School where he earned his Juris Doctor and began to practice law in New Bedford. The lure of politics became difficult to resist and in 1990 Paul entered the race for District Attorney of Bristol County where he served for sixteen years. Among many successful prosecutions, a notable distinction was the conviction of serial pedophile, Fr. James Porter. During his tenure, Paul was also elected for a term as President of the National District Attorneys' Association.

Paul was an avid golfer and a member of the Allendale Country Club serving on its Board of Directors at the time of his death. Paul also was a life-long member of the Wamsutta Club and enjoyed arranging family dinners and outings with colleagues with the help of good friends Cindy and Chef Ray. Paul loved his many travels to Ireland, was a student of Irish history, a lover of Yeats's works, and spent many months in Sligo golfing at Rosse's Point and enjoying a pint afterwards with the locals at Austie's Pub.

Paul leaves his cherished daughter, Patricia Anne of NYC, his best friend and companion, Patricia M. Manley, his brother William of New Bedford, sister Atty. Anne W. Folino (Greg) of Bourne, sister Alice Kinkead of New Jersey, thirty-four first cousins, and many much-loved nieces and nephews.

Paul's favorite color was green and the mantra he quietly lived by was to always "be kind." In his memory, please wear something green and spread random acts of kindness as often as you can. A charitable organization close to his heart was the Boys and Girls Club of New Bedford.  If you are inclined, donations to Paul's memory can be made there at 166 Jenney St., New Bedford, MA 02740. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Nikita and Michelle of St Anne's ICU for their expert care.

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St Lawrence Martyr Church, 565 County St., New Bedford on Saturday July 13, 2024 at 12:15 p.m. Visiting hours are omitted. Messages of condolence can be made at https://www.saundersdwyer.com/ or to the Walsh Family at 46 Atlantic Street, New Bedford, MA 02740.

"Horseman, pass by!"   - Yeats