Gainesville, Fla. – Father James Flannan Walsh, a priest of the Diocese of St. Augustine, died after a long illness on Tuesday, May 14 in Gainesville. He was 72.

The son of John Walsh and Katie Daly, Father Walsh was born in Kinnitty Birr, County Offaly Ireland on Jan. 9, 1941. He attended St. Patrick College in Carlow for his seminary studies and was ordained on June 12, 1965 by Bishop Peter Birch. In 1969, he earned a master’s in history from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

In August 1965, Father Walsh came to Florida to serve in the Diocese of St. Augustine, which at that time included all of Florida with the exception of the Archdiocese of Miami that was established in 1958.

Among his accomplishments, he established two parishes in Gainesville: Holy Faith Parish in 1972 under the leadership of Bishop Paul Tanner and in 1987 Bishop John J. Snyder appointed Father Walsh to establish Queen of Peace Parish.

While not actively serving in the diocese, due to a medical retirement, Father Walsh held several positions in his 48 years of priesthood. He served in parishes in Gainesville, Pensacola, St. Augustine and Union Park. He also served as archivist of the diocese, priest-director of Catholic Charities in Gainesville, moderator of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women in Gainesville and as an associate liaison of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement.

Father Walsh is survived by Sister Marie Walsh of the Order Presentation Convent, Killinarahn Tullamore, County Offaly Ireland; Mercy Sister Ita Mercedes Walsh of the Convent of Mercy, Castelbar, County Mayo Ireland; Holy Ghost Father Michael Walsh, Kasiyn Catholic Church, Pemba, Zambia and sister-in-law Peggy Walsh of Kinnitty Birr, County Offaly Ireland.

Funeral Arrangements:

Visitation will be Monday, May 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 10900 SW 24th Avenue, Gainesville. The Vigil Service will begin at 7 p.m. The funeral Mass will be Tuesday, May 21 at 11 a.m. at Queen of Peace Catholic Church.