A cricket administrator, a football player, cricketer, referee, father and family man are some of the words used to describe the late Gifford Walsh who died in a vehicular accident on the evening of July 19, 2014.
Among those paying tribute to Walsh are first vice president Dominica Cricket Association, Lockhart Sebastien, president of the Dominica Cricket Umpires Association (DCUA) Lennox Abraham and retired West Indies elite cricket umpire, Billy Doctrove.
They all expressed “shock” at the death of Walsh and say “he will be greatly missed.”
“I have been to his home twice since the tragic loss and I can tell you that it is rough to his wife Regina, the kids and grand kids. I said be strong and my entire family is with you at this tragic period,” Doctrove stated.
Doctrove and Walsh have been very close friends for well over two decades having played sports together. They were members of the Heineken Saints Sports club.
“We were neighbours in Goodwill and our families grew up together as a close unit,” he said.
Sebastien said he has lost “a friend and brother.”
“We played cricket together for Dominica in 1974 and I went on to captain him,” Sebastien said. “He was just a fine wicket keeper, batsman and he also played music. This is shocking to me. We had a meeting last week and we were preparing for the women’s cricket tournament in Dominica. He was a good person to work with.”
Similar sentiments were shared by Abraham who stated that he was at an umpires’ awards ceremony when they heard of the “shocking and devastating news.”
The name Gifford Walsh will continue to ring in the minds and hearts of sports men and women in Dominica.
He along with the Doctrove brothers, Clayton Munro, Ericson Christopher, Emmanuel Guye and a few others were leading football referees in Dominica in the early 1980’s.
He refereed many overseas matches before retiring.
He was due to take up a new job in sports administration in Dominica on August 1, 2014.
Walsh was killed on the Macoucherie Public Road when his vehicle collided with another on Saturday evening.
The police said Walsh lost control of his vehicle which overturned.
He was pronounced dead on the scene by a medical officer.
OMG OMG OMG from new york with love and our deepest sympathy may his soul rest in peace in the lords name
it is so sad to hear the passing of my friend i am just saying i wish his families to accept my depest sym
pathy
I first met Gifford Walsh sometime in the late sixties and early seventies while a student at SMA , as one who also played cricket and football with him . We had some great moments on and off the field back then ; but this sudden news of his death was shocking , very sad and in such manner . Howbeit , he’ll forever be remembered a place in my heart . My condolence and sympathy go out to all surviving members of his family and may the grace of the Almighty God the eternal Father , bring them the strength that is needed in their time of this bereavement . May his soul rest in peace .
Enough can’t be said about Mr Walsh. Well respected, involved with youth, always just encouraging. Sometimes we try to find nice things to say when people pass, in this case we have to start leaving out nice things. One thing is certain this man knew he was treasured and respected and that to me is truly giving him his flowers while he lived.
Oh son of earthen clay, thy flesh returns to whence it came from, but thy spirit lives forever. RIP..
R I P Bro You were the best Wicket Keeper I remember DA having and a Nice gentleman. Everyone will miss you Down here. BUt Jah Knows you are Chilling in a better place R I P
There is no better place you go to when one dies, no better place
ECCl 9:5
Why is it that we all say a better place but non of us want to go there.
I am still trying to deal with this sad news. I met this man when chaucer doctrove recruited me into the heineken saints family i played alongside him in the premirre league and on the national team and he was also our manager after he retired. I too share the loss and would like to say to regina walsh and the entire family especially shaun be strong and look to the Lord for your comfort. Please accept my sympathies. He was a stalwart in the sporting arena. RIP GW.
Deepest condolences to the Walsh family in their time of mourning.
May his soul R.I.P.
Really shocking and sad. As a young cricketer in the 70s, these are the men I admired and aspired to be .
Another real ‘salt of the earth’ Dominican is gone….all too soon.
Walshio my friend, may you rest in peace. As I have said on a facebook post, the early 6am (yes 6.00am) practices just you and I on the Lindo park conrete pitch were never forgotten. Folks would not know about these days and the dedication you had into perfecting your game. I remember once when I was back home on vacation; it was night time and dark and walking back up to G’will; you never knew that I was in town and you stopped your vehicle behind me called me by my nickname said “man only one person has that walk”. This is said to illustrate how well we knew each other. So therefore, parda, national team mate and true friend; God Bless.
To Walshio’s family my prayers are with you.
I was shocked when I heard the news. I first met Gifford during the Windward Islands Schools tournament in Grenada. I got to know him better when I lived in Dominica..I also knew his wife, Regina. My sincere condolences to the family. I know words at this time can never heal the wounds, but take comfort in the way his friends and others have referred to him as a gentleman, friend, colleague and ambassador. I could still see his mischievous smile. Rest In Peace my friend.
Peter Richards
Farewell, Mr Gifford Walsh
Saturday night about 10pm, I received the shocking news about the tragic passing of Mr Gifford Walsh. He and my brothers Eusfield and Reggie represented Dominica together in cricket at national level and he and I played in Cavaliers. I think I knew Mr Walsh all my life, because I grew up with a team photo at home when he and Eusfield played youth cricket for Dominica in 1971. He also has copy displayed proudly at his home. When I played with him in Cavaliers, he and the others were like my big brothers. He was the wicket keeper and I bowled leg-breaks and he had great skills even at that time. Most importantly he was never too big or too busy to encourage me by providing bowling, field placement tips and celebrating my wickets, even more so when he took a catch or a stumping. I last spoke with him during the T20 games between West Indies and New Zealand held a few weeks ago. Dominica has loss one of its most disciplined, humbled and dedicated sportsman.
To Mrs Regina Walsh and family, I would to extend my heartfelt sympathies on the sudden passing of Mr Walsh. May the Most High continue to strengthen your entire family during this very difficult time.
I don’t have the words to express the sadness that has overtaken me since I heard the sad news of Gifford’s death. I know that Gifford is now in God’s loving arms but it is difficult to wrap my mind around the fact that such a wonderful and loving person has left this earth so soon, leaving such a terrible void in the hearts of his family and friends. He was so very well loved by everyone who came into contact with him. What a terrible loss!! MY HEART ACHES!
Regina, please take comfort in knowing that your husband has left his children a legacy of love and respect; his good name and chraracter. Embrace the fond memories that you made together with your beautiful children. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May his sweet soul rest in perfect peace. God bless your family Gifford!!
A schoolmate, colleague and friend, GiffordWalsh was an all round great guy. Sadly, fate ordains that dearest friends must part. Adieu my friend and rest in eternal peace.
Oh No.. Really said may his soul rest in Peace.
This is a very traggic accident and very sad. I know that this is a tough time for the family and I encourage them to be strong at this moment. My deepest sympathy to the family.
I knew Mr. Walsh for at least nine years. He was a soft-spoken, pleasant and kind individual when he worked at the National Parks Division/Forestry Division.
Will surely be missed, by all his working colleagues, past and present. Rest In Peace Gifford. You were a Father, Son and Brother! Gone too soon.
Was indeed so humble that even when you come to him and it seems that that you would not be able to reach him, he would reach out to you. let his life and passing stands as a motivation to those of us who are left to mourn