A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Dec. 20 in Holy Innocents Church, Neptune, for Deacon James P. Walsh of Red Bank and Neptune, who died Dec. 14 at age 78.

Born in Morristown, Deacon Walsh first lived in Red Bank and later in Neptune, where he raised his family. He returned to Red Bank to live years later.

Deacon Walsh was employed by Singer Company, Emerson Quiet Cool Co. and retired as vice president from Fedders Corporation. Following his retirement, he joined the fundraising team for Catholic Church Campaigns and assumed control of the company as president and CEO. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea.

He was ordained a deacon for the Diocese May 17, 1990, by Bishop John C. Reiss in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, and was assigned to serve in Holy Innocents Parish. Deacon Walsh’s great love for music, playing both the harmonica and guitar, led him and his wife, Nancy Murphy Walsh, to begin a folk group in Holy Innocents Parish. The couple also played their music for patients in nursing homes.

Deacon Walsh was predeceased by his wife, who died in 2015, his parents, three siblings and two cousins. He is survived by his two sons, Sean and Brian, and their spouses; one granddaughter; a sister-in-law and a brother-in-law, and several nieces and nephews.

Burial was in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Middletown.

Memorial donations may be sent to the St. Vincent de Paul Conference in Holy Innocents Parish, 3455 W. Bangs Avenue, Neptune, N.J. 07754.