Obituary of Michael M Walsh

Michael Maurice Walsh, 78, passed away peacefully in the company of his loving family on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven Connecticut. Michael was born in 1943 to Edward M. and Lucille O. Walsh in Meriden, CT. After graduating from Maloney High School in Meriden, Mike attended the University of Rochester before graduating from the University of Hartford with a Bachelors of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1967. A lifelong engineer working in many industries, Mike was employed at Pratt & Whitney, Eaton Corp., MTI Inc., Plug Power, and Engi-Nuity Associates. Endlessly curious and clever, Mike was awarded more than 30 U.S. patents throughout his career. He is best known for the invention of the variable valve selector, recognized by Industrial Research Magazine as one of the most significant technical advancements of 1977 and now a standard feature for improving fuel economy in almost every automobile on the road today. Throughout his life, Mike was always happiest in and around the water; whether basking in a pool, jumping into a mountain stream, sailing or relaxing on the porch with friends and family at our cozy beach cottage built by his father and grandfather in Westbrook, CT. Mike enjoyed a long and loving marriage of 52 years with Beverly K. Walsh. Mike and Beverly moved from Meriden to Northville, MI, then to Niskayuna, NY before settling at their current residence in Fairfield, CT in 1993. He is lovingly remembered and dearly missed by his wife, Beverly; his daughter, Heather Walsh, and son-in-law, Stephen Kaplan; his son, Michael E. Walsh, and daughter-in-law, Karen Batt; and his two grandchildren, Jasper and Naomi Kaplan. His surviving family also includes sister-in-law, Janice Walsh of Southington, CT; and brother-in-law, Dave Lynch, of Essex Junction, VT, along with their children and families. He was predeceased by his parents Edward and Lucille; brother, Edward H. Walsh; and sister, Kathleen W. Lynch. Friends and family can say farewell Sunday, February 13, 2022 from 2-6 p.m. at Lesko & Polke Funeral Home, 1209 Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, February 14, at St. Luke's Church, 49 Turkey Hill Road North, Westport, CT 06880. Burial will be private at Calvary Cemetery in Waterbury. For those interested in making a memorial contribution, please consider a donation to the Mercy Learning Center of Bridgeport (https://www.mercylearningcenter.org). Mike believed strongly in their mission and we know he would be honored if our love and memories of him can help to share the gifts he enjoyed in life with our neighbors.