SCARBOROUGH – On Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, David A. Walsh passed away in Scarborough. A loving husband, father, and grandfather, he was 76 years old.

Born on Aug. 19, 1947, in Portland, to Martin Edward and Dorothy (Thurlow) Walsh, David and his five siblings were raised on Spring Street in Portland. He attended St. Dominic’s School and later graduated from Portland High School in 1966.

Loyally devoted to all he knew, David began working at Shaw’s Supermarket in 1963 when he was just sixteen years old. In 2010, he retired from the same Congress Street location that he began at, having been the Store Manager for the bulk of his 47 year career. Up until his passing, he stayed in touch with the West End Boys – a collection of lifelong friends raised in Portland’s West End during the 50s and 60s who still meet regularly today.

In 1965, a chance meeting at the Palace in Old Orchard Beach lead him to his soulmate, Deborah (Knight) Walsh. They were happily married in Westbrook on Jan. 4, 1969, and their loving marriage set a remarkable example for anyone lucky enough to know them. They were proud parents of three daughters; Erin, Alicia, and Courtney.

For the last 35 years, David became “Pop-Pop” to 12 grandchildren. A fixture in their lives, he frequently attended their sporting and school events, never missed a birthday, and even served as the Officiant in one of their weddings. The grandkids collective love and admiration for Pop-Pop was matched only by his pride in each and every one of them.

David’s family home in Westbrook was an integral reminder of his legacy. He always kept an open door and warm food for anyone who may stop by. While holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas were always the largest celebrations, it was common to see family and friends stopping by any day of the week. Every year on St. Patrick’s Day, the whole family could count on receiving a card and visiting his home for his favorite day of the year. Pop would have his best Irish accent on display, while wearing green, dancing the Irish Jig, and offering green milk or beer to all who were there to celebrate. He established many traditions like these that created the long-lasting memories his family will remember him by. “What is mine, is yours” he often said — and he lived by that principle by sharing his home with everyone.

David was a man of strong Catholic faith, and deep Irish pride. Some of his favorite memories were two family trips to Ireland where he met distant relatives and furthered the bonds he shared with his siblings. Forever selfless, he was a friend to all he met who was willing to lend a helping hand to those in need no matter the circumstance. He was President of the Sunrise Rotary Club, and also collected hundreds of crutches to donate to those in need. David, or ‘Pop-Pop’ will be remembered for his massive heart, which he shared with his friends and family. He truly loved each of them – and if you were lucky enough to know him, you knew that to be true. It was very common for friends to remark that he was the nicest gentleman that they had ever met. He was forever both patient and present, brightening the day of everyone he interacted with. He will be missed dearly.

He is survived by his daughters, Erin Smith, Alicia Cummings (Chris) and Courtney Ottoson (Paul); siblings, Elizabeth McCusker, and Dorothy Mason; grandchildren, Andrew (Jordan), Abigail and Aidan Smith, Emily, Grace and Brady Roy; Calvin, Rachel, Rita and Owen Cummings, and Riley and Samuel Ottoson. He was predeceased by his siblings, Peter, Frederic, and Edward Walsh.

Visiting hours celebrating David’s life will be held at Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland, on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, from 4-6 p.m. Prayers will be recited at the chapel at 9:15 a.m., on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, followed by a 10 a.m., Mass of Christian Burial at St. Hyacinths Church, Brown Street, Westbrook. Burial will follow in St. Hyacinth’s Cemetery in Westbrook. To view David’s memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit http://www.ConroyTullyWalker.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in David’s name may be made to the Portland Sunrise Rotary Club or the Maine Children’s Cancer ‘Strike Out Cancer in Kids!’ Program.

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