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Today: March 27, 2025

Final farewell for Pittsburgh Battalion Chief John Walsh

November 25, 2024

    PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (WTAE) -- Fallen Pittsburgh Battalion Chief John Walsh was laid to rest after a funeral Mass at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland Monday.

A procession went from the funeral home in Scott Township to the church in Pittsburgh on Monday morning.

Firefighters traveled from all over to pay their respects.

"It is a sad day, but I'm here to support the firefighters in Pittsburgh and his family so I hope it's meaningful for them," said Mark Erlacher, a retired Philadelphia firefighter.

Walsh died after suffering a medical emergency while responding to a fire in East Hills last week. He leaves behind his parents, his wife, Mary Lynn, and countless friends and extended family members.

A 37-year veteran of the Pittsburgh Fire Bureau and a battalion chief for over a decade, Walsh was described by city fire officials as an absolute professional, master of his craft, and a stabilizing force in the department.

Hundreds said their final goodbyes and paid respects at a viewing Sunday.

โ€œThe world has lost a great man, a great firefighter, someone that truly cared about Pittsburgh, cared about his city, cared about helping people, cared about his family,โ€ said Rich Baur, Walshโ€™s nephew.

His family members say he didnโ€™t always talk about it โ€” probably because he was modest โ€” but being a firefighter was his calling. His father was a longtime battalion chief as well.

The firefighters union says Walsh was a great firefighter, mentor and leader. The outpouring of support shows how many lives he touched.

โ€œHe was always the light of the room. He was always just such a great uncle to me. He always called me Richard every time he saw me,โ€ Baur said. โ€œI remember going over to their house as a kid, and he had the little firefighter remote-control fire truck that I always used to play with.โ€

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