Ed Walsh was a Hodgkins lymphoma survivor who rode in the PMC for 16 years and raised more than $100,000 for Dana-Farber. Last May, he began to have heart trouble as a result of the radiation that was part of his cancer treatment in 1995. He had by-pass surgery, and still managed to ride a moderate route of the PMC last August. “I spent most of the ride trying to rein him in, and keep him on a slower pace,” says Ed’s wife, Mary Walsh of Hamilton, Mass. “The PMC was such a big part of his life.”
After taking a spin class this past January, Ed suffered a heart attack and died. He was 52. More than $13,000 was donated to the PMC in lieu of flowers after Ed’s funeral.
Mary, her daughter and two sons will ride along with Ed’s friends on Team Eddie this summer in memory of Ed. Team Eddie is gearing up to ride from Sturbridge to Provincetown, to stay on the ship, and to take the party ferry back just like Eddie loved to do. So far there are 17 riders and 13 volunteers on Team Eddie.
“He was so passionate about the PMC. He never stopped smiling and was always optimistic no matter what difficulties life dealt him,” Mary said. “He was an inspiration to us all.”
Ed and Mary Walsh at the 25th annual PMC celebration in 2004