It is with the deepest regret that we have learned of the death of long-time Ireland-U.S. Council Board Member Joseph M. Walsh, also known as Joe, who was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Curtis Circulation Company in New Milford, New Jersey, one of the world’s largest magazine distribution companies. He passed away at the Joe Raso Hospice Center in New City NY where he had been receiving care following complications from pancreatic cancer. He was 72 years old.

A native of the Bronx in New York, he grew up near Yankee Stadium. He attended Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx, was a graduate of Iona College and qualified in accounting as a CPA. In his earlier career he served from 1974 to 1982 as Executive Vice President of Cadence Industries Corporation. Prior to Cadence, he was a member of the management team at Peat, Marwick, and Mitchell one of the large accounting firms in the nation – a precursor to the firm now trading as KPMG.

Curtis Circulation Company started out as Curtis Publishing Company's circulation department, becoming a subsidiary in 1946. In 1973, it renamed itself Cadence Industries, which was liquidated in 1986. At that time, Curtis Circulation was sold to Joseph M. Walsh and Hachette Distribution Services. Joe had been affiliated with Curtis for over 35 years and when they purchased Curtis in 1986, he retained 10% of the company's ownership.

Well known for his "hands-on" management style, Joe's diverse experience and strong background in both subscription and newsstand magazine sales made him one of the industry's most knowledgeable, well-liked and highly-respected leaders. A man of decisive action, he introduced many changes in the structure, procedures, and systems at Curtis - all designed to give the company the capability, flexibility, and information-flow necessary to anticipate and comprehend trends in the circulation industry.

He had an abiding passion in collecting sports memorabilia and proudly maintained what is considered to be the largest authentic sports collection in America. This is on permanent display in a beautiful museum-quality restaurant named The Stadium on Route 9 in Garrison now managed by his son James, the youngest of his five children. James says that his father started collecting sports memorabilia in 1953 when he was a young kid. Among the thousands of items on display at the restaurant is Mickey Mantle's 1956 Triple Crown Trophy - Mantle was the most powerful switch hitter in baseball. He won 3 Most Valuable Player awards. He led the Yankees to 12 World Series in his 14 seasons as a Yankee and was a 16 time All-Star. He won the Triple Crown at the age of 24 (BA. 353, 52 homers and 130 RBIs).

Joe Walsh is survived by his wife Terri (née Vericker) and five children.

Fé bhraith Dé go raibh a anam.