Francis J. Walsh, 83, a journalist and former advertising executive, was a longtime resident of Oak Park who was active in community affairs.
Mr. Walsh died in his Oak Park home June 29.
Since his retirement as creative director for Campbell-Mithun advertising agency in 1971, he was active in the Oak Park Historical Society, the Friends of the Oak Park Public Library and the Hemingway Foundation. He was recognized as an authority on Ernest Hemingway.
Mr. Walsh began his career working for Chicago`s City News Bureau in 1929 after graduating from Loyola University. He worked for several Chicago dailies in the 1930s, including several years at the Herald-Examiner and a short stint at the Tribune. Mr. Walsh also worked for the McCann-Erickson advertising agency.
In 1980, he renewed his lifelong love of journalism by writing the popular ”Spectator” column for Oak Park`s Wednesday Journal and serving as a mentor and critic to the young staff at the weekly paper, according to Dan Haley, Journal editor.
He is survived by his three daughters, Johanna Ward, Jane Gralen and Molly Walsh; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 5:30 p.m. July 15 in Unitarian Universalist Church, 875 Lake St., Oak Park.
