Reverend James J. Walsh died on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born on December 11, 1941 in Cincinnati, and baptized at St. Bonaventure Parish, South Fairmount. He did his preparatory studies at St. Gregory Seminary, Cincinnati and studied philosophy at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West, Norwood. He received an S.T.B. and S.T.L. from Gregorian University, Rome, and a M.Ed. from Loyola University, Chicago. He was ordained on December 20, 1968, by Most Reverend Francis F. Reh at the Basilica of St. Peter, Rome.
Father Walsh received his first assignment on August 19, 1969, as assistant pastor of St. Mary Parish, Middletown and to teach at Fenwick High School. On June 15, 1972, he was appointed to St. Matthew Parish, Norwood and to teach full-time at McNicholas High School, Cincinnati. On June 19, 1974, he was appointed to the Catholic Education Office of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. On August 27, 1974, he was appointed pro-tem associate at St. Ignatius Parish, Cincinnati (until January 1975). On January 30, 1975, he was to remain at the Catholic Education Office and live at St. Margaret Hall, Cincinnati. Father Walsh was appointed Director of the Department of Pastoral Services of the Archdiocese on January 22, 1980. On February 1, 1984, Father Walsh was appointed President/Rector of the Athenaeum of Ohio/Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and remained in the position until December 31, 1990. On July 1, 1991, he was released for service to the Office of RENEW International in New Jersey. In July 1993, he became the Executive Director of the Seminary Department at the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) in Washington, DC. On October 1, 2000, Father Walsh was appointed pastor of St. Dominic Parish, Cincinnati for a period of six years; he was appointed to three additional six-year terms as pastor of St. Dominic Parish on October 1, 2006, October 1, 2012, and October 1, 2018. In addition to the previous appointments, Father Walsh was appointed Dean of the St. Lawrence Deanery, effective November 29, 2004, for a period of two years and was re-appointed for a second term (2006-2010) and third (2011-2014). He was appointed to the College of Consultors of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for a term of five years (2005-2010). Father Walsh retired from active ministry on July 1, 2022.
Reception of the Body: Friday, February 7, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. at St. Dominic Church, 4551 Delhi Pike, Cincinnati, Ohio 45238; (513.471.7741) Celebrant and Homilist: Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer. Visitation: will continue until 8:00 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Dominic Church. Celebrant: Reverend Christopher Lack. Homilist: Reverend Gerald R. Haemmerle.
Burial: Saturday, February 8, 2025, following the Mass of Christian Burial, at Saint Joseph New Cemetery, 4500 Foley Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45238. Celebrant: Reverend Christopher Lack.
