Walsh’s Sr.’s Legacy Now Stamped on Elwood Post Office

Members of Larry Walsh Sr.'s family react to the unveiling of a symbolic marker noting the dedication of the Elwood Post Office in his name, by an Act of Congress.
Members of Larry Walsh Sr.'s family react to the unveiling of a symbolic marker noting the dedication of the Elwood Post Office in his name, by an Act of Congress.

By Nick Reiher

Larry Walsh Sr.

If there had been just a few more relatives of the late Lawrence M. “Larry” Walsh Sr. gathered on a muggy June 2 morning, one might not have been able to see the quaint Elwood Post Office that now, by Act of Congress, will bear his name.
U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, said it took a while, what with all that’s going on in Washington, D.C., these days. But he and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, supported by U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, got ‘er done.
Noting Durbin couldn’t make his planned remarks at the dedication due to a delay at O’Hare, Foster noted the senior senator from Illinois was a good friend of Walsh’s.
“Dick said Larry gave public service a good name,” Foster said. “Not everyone loves politicians, but everyone loved Larry.”
The plaque inside the Elwood Post Office, replicated on poster board outside for pictures, “is testament to Larry Walsh’s commitment to public service,” said USPS spokeswoman Bernice Joseph. “Looking at his accomplishments, I came up with the words dedication, longevity and legacy.”
After graduating from Joliet East High School and Joliet Junior College, Walsh began his long career in public service in 1970 as a member of the Elwood School Board. All while working a farm and helping to raise six children with his wife, Irene, whom he married in 1969.
They would have 20 grandchildren, most of whom attended the dedication, leading those gathered in the Pledge of Allegiance. All the six kids were there, including daughter Sarah, and “the farmers,” Frank, Matthew and Brian.
In 1973, he was first elected Jackson Township Supervisor, a position he held until December 2004. He served as an Illinois State Senator, representing the 43rd District, from April 1997 until January 2005, alongside an up-and-comer named Barack Obama.
The Walshes would remain close with Obama, being invited to his inaugurations. Walsh would joke it was because he lost enough money to Obama in their poker games to put his daughters through college.
Walsh returned to Will County to run for Will County Executive, a position he held from 2004 until he lost his nearly six-year battle with prostate cancer on June 3, 2020. He had announced the previous August that he would not be running for another term, stating, “I gotta get fixed up.”
Then-County Board Speaker Denise Winfrey, D-Joliet, chaired board meetings in Walsh’s absence during his final months. She was among his fellow former colleagues at the dedication ceremony.
“Three years ago tomorrow was the day we said goodbye to him,” an emotional Larry Walsh Jr. told those gathered in front of the village post office.
Now a state representative, “Junior” followed in his father’s footsteps, as did another son, Shawn, former Regional Superintendent of Schools for Will County.
Walsh Jr. said his father’s commitment to public service came from the heart.
“He loved this town. When he was Jackson Township supervisor in the ‘70s, he was in charge of General Assistance. We would be eating dinner, and often he’d get up from the table with the doorbell rang to help someone.
“We would be at ballgames and other activities, and he would be giving out cheese, milk, raisins, all to help people.
“For his name to be on this post office is truly an honor. We all miss him. He was so full of life.”
In addition to a large, loving family, Walsh left a legacy that won’t soon be forgotten, Foster said, especially with his name on a post office.
“Will County is a better place because of the decades of public service by Larry Walsh.”

State Rep. Larry Walsh Jr., as the eldest of the six Walsh children, thanks U.S. Rep. Bill Foster and senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth for their efforts in naming the Elwood Post Office after his Dad., who passed on June 3, 2020, when a nearly six-year battle with prostate cancer ended his half a century of public service.

 

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