The Derrick, September 11, 2007: Edward L. Walsh, 83, of Oil City, died unexpectedly Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007, in his residence at Luther Place. Born March 8, 1924, in Oil City, he was the son of Francis John and Margaret Johanna McLaughlin Walsh. Mr. Walsh was educated in the Oil City public schools and later studied engineering and business administration at Penn State. While working for the Department of Labor, he completed special post graduate courses at the U.S. Department of Labor Training Institute in Philadelphia, Wilamette University in Salem, Ore., the University of Georgia in Atlanta and Penn State Behrend in Erie. He served as a pilot in the United States Army Air Corps Troop Carrier Command during World War II. He piloted large cargo and troop transport gliders. Mr. Walsh was a member of the National World War II Military Glider Pilots Association and a corporate member of the Glider Pilot (Silent Wings) Museum in Lubbock, Texas. In 1994, he was one of 14 World War II glider pilots named honorary lifetime members for their outstanding service and contributions to the association and the museum. He was a member of the 93rd Troop Carrier Squadron Association of World War II. Following his honorable discharge from the Army Air Corps in March 1946, Mr. Walsh was employed by the Buffalo Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad. He was promoted to locomotive engineer in March 1949. When diesel engines began to eliminate railroad jobs, he entered industrial management and was corporate manager of advertising, sales promotion, and technical services with major manufacturers of mining machinery and heavy road construction equipment including Joy Manufacturing Co, Lee-Norse Co. and Jeffrey-Gailon Co. Mr. Walsh married the former Mary Rita Hargenrader in St. Joseph Church Aug. 17, 1946, in a ceremony officiated by the late Rev. Patrick A. Lynch. She preceded him in death July 14, 1992. Following his retirement from Jeffrey-Galion Co. in Columbus, Ohio, he and his wife lived for two years in North Miami, Fla. Upon returning to Oil City in 1973, he supervised the U.S. Department of Labor C.E.T.A. Manpower training programs covering Venango, Forest, and Clarion counties. He initiated several federally funded training programs at the Venango Area Vo-Tech School to enable the unemployed to reenter the job market. He served on the General Advisory Board of VoTech School for 14 years until 1990. After he retired from industry, Mr. Walsh disliked retirement and then worked for the following businesses: Glenview Apothecary for more than 13 years, Hill's Department Store in the Cranberry Mall, Reese Brothers Inc., Wal-Mart, the Venango Museum and Oil City Arby's. Mr. Walsh was a past member of the Oil City Chamber of Commerce, Oil City Lions Club, Tri-City Personnel Managers Club, Tri-City International Management Club. Medical Training Advisory Committee of Thiel College, Greenville, the American Society for Training and Development, Congressman Clinger's Economic Development Advisory Committee, the Franklin Club, Third Degree Knights of Columbus Initiation Team, Holy Name Society, Scoutmaster of Franklin Knights of Columbus Boy Scout Troop No. 35, Eagle Scout Board of Review, Joy Manufacturing Co. Management Club, Northwestern Pennsylvania Society of Engineers, American Mining Congress, Professional Photographers Association of America, board member of Mon Valley Industrial Development Corp. in Pittsburgh and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. He was a member of the Oil City Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree and the Fourth Degree Honor Guard, charter member and one of the founders of the Franklin Catholic War Veterans, Oil City Veterans of Foreign Wars, Oil City American Legion, Disabled American Veterans Commanders Club, Oil City Elks Lodge, life member of the Pulaski Club, life member of the Polish National Alliance, Wanango Country Club, Oil City Arts Council, Community Concert Association, Board of Trustees of Colonel Drake Cultural Alliance, and the Advisory Board of the Venango Area Agency on Aging. Prior to entering the Army Air Corps, he had his own dance band that played area clubs, taverns, weddings, private parties and live stage shows at the Drake Theater. For two years following his military service, he was a member of the drum section of Oil City's national champion American Legion "40& 8" Marching Band and the band's Dixieland Musical Group under the direction of the late Harlan Mitchell. He also taught guitar for several years, Surviving are a son, Timothy Edward Walsh and wife, Marcia, of Bristow, Va.; two grandsons, Dr. Brian Edward Walsh, Ph.D. and wife, Theresa, of Lorton, Va., and Jason Patrick Walsh and wife, Rachel, of Kutztown. In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Walsh was preceded in death by a sister, Helen, and three brothers, Jack, Pat and Bob Walsh. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in the Reinsel Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Stephen Church with Msgr. William C. Karg presiding. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Visiting Nurses Association, The Shriner's Hospital in Erie or to a charity of one's choice. Condolences may be sent to reinselfuneralhome.com.