John J. 'Knobby' Walsh, 89, loving husband of Loretto Whalen Fitzgerald Walsh of Hamden, passed away Feb. 1, 2008 in CT Hospice after a long illness. Father of Kathleen (David) Drake of Falmouth, ME, Karen (James) Reidy of Northford, James O. (Marsha) Walsh of Hamden, John J. (Marcie) Walsh of North Haven, Brian G. (Kelly) Walsh of Rochester, NY. Stepfather of Karen Fitzgerald of New Haven, Kevin J. (Jill) Fitzgerald of Great Falls, VA.Beloved grandfather of Megan Giaquinto, Owen Walsh, Meredith Aurora, Elizabeth, Courtney & Virginia Drake, Hadley Nixon, Bridget, Clare, John & Deirdre Reidy, Connor, Shannon & Ellen Walsh, Walter Dayhoff, Taylor Cerise, and 3 great grandchildren, Isabelle & William Giaquinto, Ava Aurora. He was predeceased by his wife Phyllis Ahern Walsh. John was born in New Haven, April 1, 1918 a son of the late Owen James and Agnes Kline Walsh, Agnes died in the flu epidemic of 1918 and his father remarried Catherine McManus who raised John from childhood. He graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 1941 and served in both the US Marine Corps. and the US Merchant Marines during WW II. He was the owner of Larsen & Walsh Insurance Agency for over 50 years prior to retirement. He was a member of the Professional Insurance Agents Assoc., Hamden Kiwanis Club, Knights of St. Patrick, Owenego Club, the New Haven Country Club, and was a parishioner of The Church of St. Rita. John enjoyed golf and traveling. Funeral from BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 WHITNEY AVE., HAMDEN, Tuesday, Feb 5, at 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in the Church of St. Rita at 10:30. Interment in St. Lawrence Cemetery. Friends may call Monday from 4-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the CT Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford, CT 06405, or to the College of the Holy Cross, 1 College St., Worcester, MA, 01610, or the Hospital of St. Raphael Foundation, 1450 Chapel St., New Haven, CT 06511.