In Memoriam: Former Insulators Local 1 Business Manager Mike Walsh

By SHERI GASSAWAY
Missouri Correspondent

Former Insulators Local 1 Business Manager Mike Walsh – a lion for his members and the St. Louis Labor Movement – passed away June 9 at age 78.

Brother Walsh joined Insulators Local 1 as an apprentice in 1964 and worked in the field as a tradesman since the young age of 18. He was selected for the union’s executive board in 1977, appointed business agent in 1986, and assumed the additional responsibility of financial secretary in 1987, then in 1998 elected business manager serving until he retired in Dec. 2003.

During his career, he was appointed to the St. Louis County Highway Commission, St. Louis Labor Council Board of Trustees and St. Louis Building & Construction Trades Council. He also was a founding member of the North County Labor Club.

‘LION FOR HIS MEMBERS, THE LABOR MOVEMENT’
St. Louis Labor Council President Pat White said Walsh was a great union man and a lion for his members and the St. Louis Labor Movement. He said Walsh was one of his first business agents when he was an 18-year-old union member working for the Insulators on a permit.

“I guess you could say he is where a lot of us learned how to lead,” White said. “On a personal level I knew his daughters in school, and they were every bit as tough as Mike. The likes of Mike probably won’t be seen again in our Movement, but his legacy, his memory and the way he did things will live on.”

MENTOR, FATHER FIGURE
John Stiffler, St. Louis Building & Construction Trades Council executive secretary-treasurer who is also a former Local 1 business manager, said not only was Walsh a great union leader, he was a loyal friend to all.

“In 2000, Mike took me out of the field and made me an organizer at Local 1,” Stiffler said. “He was a father figure to me and always there when I needed him. He mentored and guided me, which helped me ascend to Local 1 business manager and to the office I hold today at the Building Trades Council.” 

‘UNION MAN’
Local 1 Business Manager Gary Payeur said, “Mike Walsh was a good friend, a family man and most of all he was a solid union man. He was taken much too early from the deadly effects of asbestos exposure and will be missed and remembered by all of us at Local 1.”

SERIOUS FOODIE WITH A SENSE OF HUMOR
Brother Walsh was known for his friendly humor and made people laugh through the years with his wit and antics. EVERYONE has a story to tell about Mike. He was never a stranger and no matter where he went seemed to run into someone he knew – even in Alaska and the Bahamas.

He also was a serious “foodie” most of his life. He loved finding the best restaurants in the St. Louis area and beyond. He enjoyed traveling near and far to purchase his favorite sweets, baked goods, meat, produce and of course Doris’ favorite peanut rolls from Missouri Bakery. He loved sharing his finds with others and would sometimes make late night visits to do so.

RETIREMENT
Retirement brought some down time but Mike never sat still for long. He worked part time as an estimator for Premier Insulation, served as a walker for Equine Assisted Therapy and volunteered at St. Gianna Church. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening and in his garage re-created his famous Michael Michelle Winery and Big Cedar Lodge.

Mike was always an avid hunter and fisherman and his deer camp family held a special place in his heart. The group began back in 1972 and is still going strong today. Mike was one of the original founders and known as an “elder” along with John and Jim Shelton. Mike and Jim’s friendship spans a remarkable 65 years. Mike was an incredibly loyal friend to so very many and loved his family with all his heart. He was Popsie to his grandkids who enjoyed family gatherings and adventures, vacations on Sanibel Island and annual weekend trips to Pere Marquette. 

Brother Walsh is survived by his wife Doris Walsh, sister Patricia Rebholz and his children Gina (Kevin) O’Hearne, Kelly (Doug) Shelton and Renee (Joe) VanDeven. He was a loving grandfather to McKenna O’Hearne, Colin O’Hearne, Jack Shelton, Riley Shelton, Reagan Shelton, Isy Van Deven, Issac Van Deven, and Isla Van Deven. He was a cherished brother-in-law to Margie (Tom) Lauman, Don (Katie) Blanc and Barb (Don) Quinlan and loving uncle, great-uncle and friend to all.

He is preceded in death by his parents Thomas M. and Virgina Walsh and brother Thomas R. Walsh. He was a loving son-in-law to the late Bud and Alberta Blanc, brother-in-law to the late Mel Blanc and Frank Rebholz, godfather to the late Daniel Quinlan and uncle to the late Donny, Joseph, Kathleen and Matthew Blanc.

A funeral mass was held June 15 at St. Gianna Catholic Church in Wentzville, followed by interment at Calvary Cemetery & Mausoleum in St. Louis. Memorial donations may be made to St. Louis Children’s Hospital or St. Gianna Catholic Church.