Obituary of Herbert George Walsh

Herb Walsh of Fredericton, NB passed away at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital on Tuesday, August 23, 2022. He was born prematurely on April 25, 1939 in the tiny fishing village, Nippers Harbour, NL while his parents were visiting his maternal grandmother. The only possible location to help his survival was the warming closet on the kitchen wood stove. He survived and spent most of his youthful days in Twillingate and Botwood, NL. He was the eldest son of the late George and Marie Walsh and is survived by his sister, Marie Walsh (Kevin Dawson) of Halifax, NS; brother, David (Phyllis) of Steinbach, MB; sisters-in-law, Vanessa Walsh of Harbour Grace, NL, Goldie Walsh of Paradise, NL, Kathleen Waterman of Twillingate, NL, Elizabeth Chalker of Paradise, NL as well as his dearest friends, Mary and Michel who have always been there for him. Herb will also be missed by his many nieces, nephews, furry companion Libby and many friends, especially those at the Royal T and Myrna at Westpointe. He was predeceased by his parents; his wife and love of his life, Helen in 2018; brothers, Bryce and Brian; Helen’s parents, Frank and Nellie Pardy; brother-in-law, Richard Chalker and nephew, James Chalker. Herb began studying Engineering at The Memorial University of Newfoundland where he met his beloved Helen, marrying her in 1960. He later completed his degree in Mechanical Engineering at The University of New Brunswick in Fredericton and upon graduating, started his career with Bailey Meter Co. in Toronto, ON. During his time at UNB both Herb and Helen fell in love with Fredericton and in 1967 they welcomed a job offer from a new engineering company formed in Fredericton, Neill and Gunter with Herb becoming employee number 7. Herb had been hired for Bailey by Harold Gunter and had great memories of Bob Neill talking to the students during university days. A few years later, Herb became the Manager of the Mechanical Group. He worked closely with Helmut Moeltner who had joined Neill and Gunter, bringing expertise in the wood composite industry and with NGL formed an associate international company, NGM International. NGM grew to be the leading engineering firm in the world in the design of wood composite manufacturing facilities, with plants in Canada, USA, UK and Russia. Shortly after the formation of the firm, Mr. Moeltner was killed in an automobile accident and Herb was appointed Vice President of NGM and VP Wood Composites of NGL. Later he became President of NGM, a position he held until his retirement in 2000. Professionally Herb served on two of the senior committees in The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of New Brunswick for thirty years. Herb was also a long-term Motorsport enthusiast, beginning with racing sports cars in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. He later began flying recreationally and was President of the Fredericton Flying Club in 1977-78. He was also pleased to fly the company aircraft with the pressurized multi engine Cessna 414A being the most sophisticated. During the 80’s the Walsh’s acquired a sailboat in Ottawa which they sailed with friends from Lake Champlain into the Hudson River to New York and then up the NE coast to New Brunswick. Upon retirement, Herb and Helen purchased a motor coach and each winter traveled through over 30 states of the USA and all 10 provinces of Canada during the summer months. They truly had a great and exciting life together until Helen’s unexpected passing. As per Herb’s request, cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at McAdam’s Funeral Home, Fredericton, NB on Wednesday, September 7, 2022 from 4-7 pm. A graveside service will take place in the Fredericton Rural Cemetery, Woodstock Road on Thursday, September 8, 2022 at 10:00 am. Rev. Michelle Armstrong will officiate. The family requests that masks be worn for the visitation and service. For those unavailable to attend in person, a live stream will be available at the following link: https://vimeo.com/743541175. For those who wish, memorial tributes in Herb’s honour may be made to Hospice Fredericton or to a charity of the donor’s choice.