News
Jack "Coach" Walsh dies at 94; father of three Alphas, well-known patriarch of Alpha-1 community
John W. Walsh III, of Woburn, MA, died Wednesday at age 94.
Jack “Coach” Walsh was a friend and mentor to hundreds of Alphas and a patriarch of the Alpha-1 community. He died of congestive heart failure in a Boston hospice, surrounded by his four children, family and friends.
THE WALSH FAMILY gathered to celebrate the birthday of Jack Walsh, who turned 94 on Aug. 20. From left, John Walsh, Susan Ferro, Jack, Judith “Juba” Walsh, and Fred Walsh.
He became extremely well-known to Alphas across the country in his later years, when he made a personal commitment to support his three Alpha-1-affected children in creating awareness and increasing detection of Alpha-1.
His twin sons Fred and John were diagnosed at age 40 with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) after developing lung symptoms that were very similar to those of their late mother.
Fred is the health services coordinator in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island for AlphaNet. John is the co-founder of AlphaNet and the Alpha-1 Foundation, of which he is now President and CEO. Three of the four siblings in the family are Alphas and the fourth is an Alpha-1 carrier.
Jack Walsh graduated from Boston University and then received a Masters Degree in Education. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, attaining the rank of Captain as a physical fitness officer, and married the late Helen Chase Walsh.
Helen Walsh died of what was then diagnosed as “early-onset emphysema” while still in her 40s, leaving four children, the oldest just 16. “Coach” Walsh then raised his family alone while teaching and coaching football at several Massachusetts schools.
As a coach and counselor at Melrose High School, Walsh dedicated his life to working with young people. He served two terms as President of the Massachusetts Guidance Counselors Association and later worked in admissions at Merrimack College. Following his retirement, he was a life coach to many, including those with Alpha-1.
In his retirement years, he attended innumerable national education conferences, education and support group meetings for Alpha-1.
His four children and their spouses are Susan and Donald Ferro, John IV and Diane Walsh, Fred and Pamela Walsh, and Judith “Juba” Walsh. He is also survived by a sister, Muriel Cottrell; six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and two nieces.
A celebration of Jack Walsh’s life will be held at Arlington, MA, in November.
Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Alpha-1 Foundation, 2937 SW 27th Ave., #302, Miami, FL 33133.
See commemorative giving information, or call 1-888-825-7421.
