Deacon Richard James Walsh

Deacon Richard James Walsh, 87, entered into his eternal reward on August 29, 2024. He was born August 28, 1937, in Louisville, Kentucky.

He attended St. Patrick Elementary School and graduated from St. Xavier High School in 1955. He answered the call to the religious life, entering The Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani where he lived as a Trappist brother from 1956 to 1961. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Bellarmine University, and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Louisville. He was a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, serving at multiple agencies, including Catholic Charities of Louisville.

He married Judith Rae Strange on August 14, 1965. Together, they raised their family of five children in Bardstown, Kentucky, where they founded and operated the Bardstown Twin Cinema and Bardstown Bowling Center. He served as a member of The Rotary Club, The Knights of Columbus, and was a charter member of Right to Life of Louisville.

As a true and faithful servant to Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, he was ordained a Deacon of the Catholic Church on August 28, 1993, and served as a minister at the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral. He lived according to the Trappist values of contemplative prayer, simplicity, and manual labor. Above all, he conformed his life to the will of God, placing all things at the foot of The Cross.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Mary Walsh; his beloved Uncle Carl and Aunt Loretta Mitzlaff; and his cherished in-laws Clyde and Catherine Strange, Sherill Bere, Neal Strange, and Gary Strange. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Judith Strange Walsh, and his children, John Gregory (Sheryl), Kimberly Ann (John), Stephanie Marie, Christopher Joseph (Sallie), and Michael Jeremy (Gabriela); as well as 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, all of whom loved and adored him as “Pop”.

Public visitation will be held Tuesday, September 3, from 3:00-8:00pm; and Wednesday, September 4, from 9:00-10:15am at Barlow Funeral Home . The Most Reverend Charles C. Thompson, Archbishop of Indianapolis, will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral on Wednesday, September 4, at 11:00am. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery. 

The Walsh family would like to thank Hospice of Nelson County for their compassionate care of our dear husband and father during the last three months of his life.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of Richard Walsh to St. Joseph Elementary School and Bethlehem High School.

Barlow Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 

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