Donald Francis Walsh

Donald Francis Walsh, 76, of Marietta, Naples, Florida and Newport, Rhode Island, died July 25, 2008. Mr. Walsh was born April 24, 1932 in Newport, to Frank C. and Kathryn A. (Ring) Walsh. He graduated from DeLaSalle Academy in 1949 and Bryant College in 1951. In 1987 the college named him a “Distinguished Alumnus.” While serving on the Board of Trustees from 1992 – 2001, he chaired both the Finance and Executive Committees. Mr. Walsh served in the US Army, Finance Corps in Germany from 1951-1953. He married Pauline Cecilia Loftus on April 23, 1955. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, 2005, in Newport at a party hosted by their children. He began a 42 year career with Equifax (then Retail Credit Company) Inc, in 1953 starting out as a Field Representative in Providence. In management he served in Atlanta, Kansas City, Independence, MO, Philadelphia, Newark, NJ, returning to the Atlanta office in 1970 where he was elected an officer of the company. As an officer he served as president of the Data Flow Division, president of Equifax Services (now Choice Point), president of Equifax Credit Services (now EFX Inc.) and Chief of Staff of the International Corporation his last five years, retiring on December, 1995. In addition, Mr. Walsh served as: Chair of the Private Industry Council, Atlanta (reporting to then Mayor Andrew Young); Member of the Corporate Council,1996 Olympics; Board of Directors Atlanta Better Business Bureau; Chair of the Atlanta Council of Business and Education; Trustee of the Newport Preservation Society; Trustee, Atlanta University School of Business; Chair Finance Committee Board of Directors, Kennesaw State University; Trustee Credit Research Council, Purdue University; Chair of the Building Committee, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Marietta; Chair of the Parents/Guardians Council at Brook Run, Dunwoody and NW GA Regional Hospital, Rome. He was a member of the Atlanta Kiwanis Club, The Georgian Club, and The Club – Pelican Bay, Naples, FL. Besides his wife Pauline, he is survived by his six children: Sheila and Steve Colquitt, Marietta; Mary and Joe Donovan, Newport; Michael and Sandra Walsh, San Antonio; Anne and Marty Cornwell, Fairmount; Patrick and Elizabeth Walsh, Warner Robbins; and John Walsh of the NW GA Regional Hospital, Rome, and his thirteen grandchildren: Christopher and Brian Corry, Emily Colquitt; Patrick Donovan, Erin O’Donald and Katherine Donovan; Rachel and Joseph Walsh; Matthew, Andrew and Mary Margaret Cornwell; Ryan and Shannon Walsh: and one great-granddaughter, Lily Jane Donovan, and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his brother Francis Charles Walsh. Arrangements: Visitation Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral home, Tuesday, July 29, from 2-4 and 6-8. Memorial donations may be made to: St. Augustin Building Fund, 2 Eastnor Road, Newport, RI, 02840 or The Maher Center, 120 Hillside Ave, Newport, RI, 02840.

Donald Francis Walsh

July 27, 2008