Frank Wolfarth Walsh

Frank Wolfarth Walsh, 79, died Thursday March 27, 2008 under hospice care at Palms of Pasadena Hospital. He was born and resided in Saginaw, Mich. until 1974 when he took up residency in St. Petersburg, Fla. and Linwood Beach, Mich., spending part of the year in both locations. He graduated from Xavier University Ohio in 1951, and earned a Masters in Library Science from the University of Michigan. Frank joined the faculty of Cass City Mich. Schools in 1956 as librarian and teacher. In 1964 he opened the Old Town Bookstore in Saginaw, while working as a Reference Librarian in Bay City, Mich. After closing his bookstore in 1974, Frank traveled, sketched, wrote and expanded his personal library of books. In the 1980s Frank joined The Florida Scribes, studied extensively, and became an accomplished calligrapher. He joyfully combined calligraphy and a love of baseball by creating one-of-a-kind scorecards for each baseball game he attended. An avid baseball fan since childhood, Frank attended every spring season at Al Lang Field from 1936 to 2007. Frank's most satisfying job came in 2001 when he earned a seat in the Tampa Bay Devil Rays press box. As sports columnist for the Northeast Neighborhood News, he reported on every aspect of baseball. His book, Shoes of Giants, published in 2003, is a compilation of his newspaper columns. Survivors include his companion, Anne L. Hall; 4 children, Rachael Walsh and her husband, Mike Chapman, Charlie Karen Walsh, Justin Walsh, and Frances Kirk McGowan; two sisters, Emily Walsh, S.P., and Leona Walsh, S.P.; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and a wide circle of friends and fans. A son, David J. Walsh, predeceased him in 1990. Family and friends will celebrate Frank's life at a memorial service on April 5 at 10:30 am at Anderson McQueen NE Chapel, St. Petersburg. To perpetuate Frank's quest for an ever-expanding library, donations in his name to St. Petersburg Friends of the Library, 3745 Ninth Ave. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33713 are suggested.