James A. Walsh, age 91, of Treasure Island, FL, passed away Saturday, September 6, 2025. He was born December 15, 1933, in Brooklyn, NY, the first-born child of James and Mary Walsh.

James earned a B.S. in Chemistry from Fordham University, followed by an M.S. in Physical Chemistry and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Purdue University. Professor Derek A. Davenport was his Research Director, mentor and life-long friend. After teaching at Purdue for several years, James joined the faculty of John Carroll University in University Heights, OH, where he established a program of teaching and research, with an emphasis on the reaction mechanisms of organo-sulfur compounds. While at James Carroll University, James was awarded two Faculty Fellowships. He also served as Chair of the Chemistry Department for two four-year terms. Additionally, James was the first elected Presiding Officer of the Academic Senate and Chair of the Handbook Committee. Among his other honors were John Carroll University's Distinguished Faculty Award and the Cleveland Technical Societies Council's Technical Achievement Award. After retiring from John Carroll University, he taught for several summers at Case Western Reserve University.

James was an emeritus member of ACS, joining in 1956, and was active on all levels of the society. He chaired the Cleveland Local Section in 1970 and the Tampa Bay Local Section in 2001. In 1989, he was the General Chairman for the Central Regional Meeting. He spent twenty-seven years in the ACS Council, eighteen from Cleveland and nine from Tampa Bay. On the national level, he served on a number of committees, including Chemical Education, Local Section Activities, Constitution and Bylaws, where he was Chair for two years, Council Policy, Chemical Abstracts, and Division Activities.

During retirement, he embarked on a second career as an author of crime novels. His published books include Death Comes for the Provost, Nex Pro Bone, Occasions of Syn, Clerical Errors, Resurrection and Two Tales of the City.

James was a faithful member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church of Seminole, FL.

James is survived by his loving wife, Ann (nee Nicklas) of 65 years. He will be forever cherished and remembered by his nieces and nephews, Eileen (Walsh) Dufty, Mary (Walsh) DeLetto, Sean Walsh, Christopher Spear, Dennis Spear, Laurie Spear, and Cynthia Cloud.

James was predeceased by his father, James, his mother, Mary, his brother, Tom, and his sister, Anne Marie (Walsh) Mullen.

A funeral mass will be held at Blessed Sacrament Church in Seminole, FL on Thursday, October 30th at 10am.

Internment will be in Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Largo, FL.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Xavier High School, 30 W. 16th St., New York, NY 10011 or www.xavierhs.org/giving .