No Sign of Yesterday - A Tribute to My Dad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R31_svOsglQ

B. Bruce Anderson (1946-2003) R.I.P.

Former Wash. Twp. Committeeman Dies at 44

The King of Funny Faces and the

Washington Township Committee

May 13, 2009

From left: Tracy Tobin, Ken Short,
Erik B. Anderson (Long Valley Native)
Howard Popper, James Harmon
Missing in Action: Kevin Walsh

Kevin Walsh dies at Long Valley home
Former Mayor, Twshp. Committeeman was 44
Source: Observer Tribune

WASHINGTON TWP.—Former Township Committeeman Kevin Walsh, 44, was found dead at his home on Saturday, Jan. 16.

Walsh, who had battled diabetes since childhood, apparently died of natural causes.

He was first elected to Township Committee in 2004, serving as mayor in 2007. In November of that year, Wash won re-election, capturing the largest total of votes among five candidates for two positions.Walsh was known for his civic pride. He joined the Planning Board in 1998 shortly after his family moved here. He is credited with founding both the Fall Festival and annual July Fireworks celebration. He was also instrumental in the installation and painting of the white fencing that lines East Mill Road shortly after the entrance to town.

He stunned friends and colleagues when he stepped down from his post at the annual Township Committee reorganization meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 5. He cited professional and personal reasons for his resignation. His seat was expected to be filled on Monday.

Walsh leaves behind a wife, Sandy, and two daughters.

Funeral arrangements are not known at this time.

I barely knew Kevin Walsh. I met him at the Memorial Day Ceremony last year. I took this video of him reading a proclamation commending a wounded Iraq Vet who gave 12 years of his life to the service:

I told him about my father's flag, and how excited I was that my hometown honored my Dad that way. He invited me to lunch. I suggested Mama's Pizza. We had an appointment on a Wednesday at noon. He called and cancelled. I was angry. He wasn't at either of the two committee meetings I went to last year. The picture in the upper right hand corner was taken when I presented the POW/MIA Flag that I wanted to go up my Father's Flag in Palmer Park. I had heard he had a bad reputation. I had no idea he was dying. I really, really regret my anger now. A friend of mine told me about his death last night. I thought that I wasn't affected by it right away, but when I went home, I experienced some very strong emotions.

I have often wondered if my Dad's flag goes down to half-mast during times like this. The Township Offices are closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day today. I will call tomorrow to find out.

The Daily Record says that the cause of death is not known at this time. There's a longer article about the man and his life here.

I called up my Dad in heaven just now. I asked him to introduce Kevin to some other cool people from Long Valley, like Jack Borgenicht, Bob Balut and Paul Manos. Kevin died on my Dad's  birthday. Maybe he was supposed to go to the party. I hope he makes Kevin feel comfortable. That is my prayer for the former Committeman.

R.I.P. Kevin Walsh