Northeastern Hall of Famer Walsh passes
July 1, 2009
Boston, Mass.

Francis X. "Inga" Walsh, one of the original six Northeastern Athletics Hall of Fame members, passed away on June 29 at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

Walsh, who was born in the Dorchester section of Boston and grew up in Milton, Mass., won seven varsity letters at Northeastern, four in basketball and three in baseball. He was the first dominant player in Husky hoop history. He averaged 16.6 points per game over his career, an amazing figure considering the slow style of play that characterized his era. He ended his career as the school's all-time leading scorer with 1,060 total points, which is still good for 23rd on Northeastern's all-time scoring list today. His career scoring average still ranks seventh at Northeastern.

In his final season of 1948-49, Walsh captained the Huskies under coach Joe Zabilski and was selected to the All-New England team. He helped lead the Huskies to a 12-6 record, the 12 wins tying a program record.

In the spring of 1949, Walsh was drafted and signed by the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association. He was called into the Army during the Korean conflict in 1951 and spent two years overseas before returning to Northeastern in 1953 to complete his degree. Walsh was a veteran of both the US Navy and the US Army.

Walsh was inducted into the Northeastern Athletics Hall of Fame in 1974.

After finishing his playing career and serving his country, Walsh became a banker in South Boston, where he worked until his retirement. He was also a longtime volunteer for Habitat for Humanity in Immokolee, Fla.

Walsh was the beloved husband of Carolyn M. (Turner) Walsh, father of Edwin P. Walsh and his wife, Cathleen, of Milton, Francis M. Walsh and his wife, Debra, of Concord, and Dennis W. and his wife, Suzanne, of Houston, TX. He was brother of the late H. Robert Walsh, Annedith Tomasello and Elinor Walsh. He was grandfather to Matthew, Colin, Katherine, Meagan and Caitlin.  

A memorial mass will be celebrated in Saint Agatha Church in Milton on Friday, July 3 at 10:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited.

Donations in Walsh’s memory may be made to the Milton High School Athletic Fund, c/o Milton High School, Gile Road, Milton, MA 02186.