August 17, 1942 - February 25, 2025
The family of Martin Walsh sadly announce his passing on February 25th, surrounded by his family at home.
Martin was born in Fort William Ontario, (now Thunder Bay) on August 17th, 1942. He was preceeded in death by his father Jim, his mother Catherine and brother Grant. He leaves his wife of 61 years Wilma (Bub); sons Jim (Michelle) Tom; daughters Catherine, Christine (Thana); four grandchildren Daniel, Emma, Fynn and Shea.
He began his career as a barber, but made the decision to attend Lakehead University where he obtained his BA and BEd degrees. Armed with his new credentials an ad encouraging him to "Come Teach In The Sun" caught his attention, so he and Bub packed up their 4 children and headed to Australia. Martin enjoyed teaching there so much they stayed for 6 years.
He went back to University and earned his Master's degree and worked as an educational psychologist and as a counsellor.
Home beckoned so they packed up the family (now sporting Aussie accents) and arrived in Victoria in 1977.
Answering an advert for the school district 65 he came to Duncan where he was hired by Pat Hanrahan the principal of Charles Hoey VC school. There began his successful career in the Cowichan Valley.
He always worked in the area of Special Education, first as a teacher at Charles Hoey then as an area district elementary counsellor, moving then to a teacher in the Learning Assessment Programme at the then McKirdy Centre and as a district resource teacher. Then came an exchange year back to Australia, then back home he became co-ordinator of the Learning Assessment Programme, the position he retired from.
After retiring Martin and Bub decided Mexico was for them and for the next 22 years wintered in Mazatlan making many lasting friendships to this day.
He will be missed by all who knew him.
As per his request there will be no funeral, cremation has taken place. A celebration of his life will be announced at a later date.
Our family would like to thank Doctor Lorna Cutt for both her friendship and care, Doctor Masuda and her homecare team.