PAWTUCKET — Father Clyde J. Walsh, 91, pastor emeritus of St. Matthew Parish, Cranston, died Tuesday, March 14, 2017.
Born in Pawtucket, a son of the late Christopher and Eva M. (Genest) Walsh, he attended public schools in Pawtucket and graduated from Brown University. He was commissioned as an officer of the U.S. Navy in 1946.
He studied at St. John Seminary in Brighton, Massachusetts, and was ordained a priest on December 22, 1951 at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul in Providence by Bishop Russell J. McVinney. Father Walsh served as assistant pastor at St. Mary Parish, Bristol (1952-59) and St. Mary Parish, Providence (1968-69). Between those assignments, Father was the superior and novice master of the newly-formed Society of the Brothers of Our Lady of Providence in Warwick (1959-68). Later, while in-residence at St. Anthony Parish, Providence, Father was assigned to special ministry in the Urban Apostolate at the Hartford Park Housing Development in Providence (1969-71).
In 1971, with residence at St. Patrick Parish, Providence, Father Walsh was appointed acting director of the Diocesan Human Relations Commission, and was named to the Advisory Commission for the Prison. In November 1972, he was appointed pastor of Mary, Mother of Mankind Parish, North Providence and in July 1984, Father Walsh became pastor of St. Matthew Parish in Cranston, retiring from there in June 1995 as pastor emeritus.
In addition to his other duties, Father served as: a member of the Council of Priests; a member of the Executive Committee of the Clergy Benefits Fund; chaplain to the Daughters of Isabella, Faith Circle #24 and of the Knights of Columbus, Cranston Council; Chairman of the Advisory Board for Seminarians; and a member of the Parish Priest Consultors. Father Walsh also served as the Vicar-Forane (Dean) of Deanery North Providence #5, a member of the Board of Directors of The Whitmarsh Corporation, and a member of the Catholic Correctional Chaplaincy Team.
In his retirement, Father Walsh resided at the St. John Vianney Residence in Providence and assisted in various parishes including St. Francis of Assisi, Warwick. In his final years, Father Walsh lived at the St. Jeanne Jugan Residence, Pawtucket.
He was the brother of the late Dorothy M. Maitland and survived by two nieces, Joan Ayotte and Mary Ann Mayer.
A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial for the repose of his soul was offered on Friday, March 17, at the Jeanne Jugan Residence Chapel with Bishop Thomas J. Tobin serving as the principal celebrant and Bishops Louis E. Gelineau, Francis X. Roque and other priests concelebrating. Father James Ruggieri served as the homilist. Interment followed in Notre Dame Cemetery, Pawtucket.
