John R. Walsh, 82, of State Route 36 (town of Hornellsville) passed away Friday afternoon (Oct. 9, 2026) at Noyes Memorial Hospital in Dansville, NY one day prior to his 83rd birthday.
Born in Dansville, NY on Oct. 10, 1943, he was a son of the late William and Helen (Perry) Walsh. Besides his parents he was also predeceased by a stepdaughter, Nancy Rae Gamo-Cunningham; his sister, Joanne Walsh and brother, Dennis Walsh
John grew up in Olean, NY where he was a graduate of Olean Central School and was a member of the Boys Scouts of America and was very proud that he attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He proudly served his country with the United States Army during the Viet Nam War from 1968 to his honorable discharge in 1969.
He resided in the Hornell-Arkport area for many years and was employed for 42 years for the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) in Hornell, retiring as a civil engineer.
John was a member and Past Commander of the Arthur H. Cunningham American Legion Post No. 440 in Hornell, a member of the Hornell Elks Lodge No. 364, the Hornell AmVets Post No. 245, the Cpl. J.J. Mooney Post No. 2250 in Hornell and a member of the Sons of the American Legion in Arkport.
Besides travelling, John enjoyed spending time doing yard work.
He is lovingly survived by his wife of 23 years, Linda (Amidon) Gamo; his three children, Jeff (Jennifer) Walsh of Colorado, Jennifer (Bryan) Jessup of Hornell and David Walsh of Hornell; two stepchildren, Wanda Bassano of Arkport, NY and Connie Grzebielucha of Texas; four grandchildren, Riley Gregory, Christian Jessup, Collin Jessup and Jack Walsh; nine step-grandchildren, several great step-grandchildren and one great great-step grandchild and one sister, Patricia Backhaus of Texas; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Calling hours are 3-5 p.m. FRIDAY (OCT. 16, 2026) at the Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main St., Hornell. Interment, with full military honors, at Heritage Hill Cemetery in Arkport will be followed by a Celebration of Life this coming Spring at a place and time to be announced.
The United States flag and the Army flag will proudly fly at the Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home in recognition of John’s military service.
The family would appreciation the courtesy of no flowers and suggest memorial contributions be made to either The Salvation Army, 95 Seneca St., Hornell, NY 14843 or to the American Cancer Society (for Melanoma Research), PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.
The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home is honored to assist John’s family with the arrangements.
Online condolences or remembrances of John are welcome at bishopdesanto.com or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home
