Kahnawa’kehró:non Mourn Father John Walsh

The tributes to Father John Walsh have been pouring in since he suddenly passed away on Monday morning. Several Kahnawa’kehró:non had close ties to the 78 year old retired Priest. Walsh was often in Kahnawake over the years.

“He was a wonderful man,” said Father Vincent Esprit, the Priest at the Sanctuary of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha in Kahnawake. “He loved Jesus and he loved people. He was very, very welcoming. He made it his duty to give everybody his individual personal attention. he was very welcoming. He had a heart open to everyone without borders.”

Tom Dearhouse has been affiliated with the Saint Francis Xavier Mission for more than 30 years. He says Father Walsh officiated at his wedding in 1991. “Just sad. Sad to think 2020 is a year of passing,” Dearhouse said. “I know everyone must have their time. But I guess I get some contentment that I have known the man. knew his message of peace, love, not preachy. he loved everybody and he tended to bring out the best of everyone.”

Beverly Delormier has been affiliated with the Church for her entire life. She says Father Walsh was special because he made people feel important. “A lot of laughs. He was talking with everybody as if he knew you for years,” Delormier said. “Then you see him somewhere. I saw him at a parade in Chateauguay for the St. Patrick’s day Parade and he’s walking by and he spots me and he waves at me a and says ‘Hello, how are you?’ as if he knew me all the time. He was such a regular guy.”

Father Walsh was inducted into the Order of Canada in 2019.