Thomas Lyman Walsh

Thomas Lyman Walsh, 84, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Saturday, January 24, 2026.

Born in Providence in 1941, Tom was most recently a resident of Warwick and grew up on Seaview Avenue in Edgewood. He attended Cranston High School East, and later joined The United States Marine Corps. In the Marine Corps he was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina then on a naval ship in the South Pacific and Cuba and had the honor of being aboard Air Force Two for General MacArthur's final flight. 

After his Military Service, he began his professional career working for Nicholson File which took him to Minnesota and eventually to Illinois. In Illinois he owned a hobby farm with horses.  The whole family enjoyed many years of horseback riding and spending summer vacations on Long Lake in Wisconsin.  Over the years he started two rigging companies – one in Rockford, IL and one in Manhattan, NY. Tom eventually moved back to his hometown in Rhode Island. 

Over the years, he raised five beautiful children, first with his wife Judith Mullen: Nina Thornsburg, Erin Kaufman and David Walsh.  Then with his second wife Sharon Bonnike: Michelle Taylor and Brooke McCabe.

Tom was a handsome devil, and was known to get in some trouble in his younger days.  His good looks and good nature helped him get out of most scrapes!   He was a wonderful man with a great sense of humor and would give you the shirt off your back if you needed it.  He loved flashy cars, sailing, animals, milk and cookies and especially his family and boating on Narragansett Bay.  He frequently called his children just to tell them he loved them. He loved to tell a joke and remained jovial and positive to the end. He was, he always said, “a happy camper.”  Until two years ago, he worked at Enterprise Rent-A-Car because he enjoyed the people and camaradiere. 

Tom is survived by his five lovely children, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Sister Abigail Wright and Judy Rose.  A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, January 30, from 9-11 am, followed by a Funeral Service in Jones-Walton-Sheridan Funeral Home on Broad Street in Cranston at 11 AM

Burial at RI Veterans Cemetery, Exeter, RI

He was preceded in death by his parents Gerald and Abigail (Lyman) Walsh, his brothers Gerald Walsh and Carroll Michael Walsh.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Rhode Island Veterans Home in Bristol, RI.

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