MN TYPE IV: Retired Chief Non-LODD

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of RETIRED FIRE CHIEF PETER ROBERT WALSH age 68, of FINLAND, Minnesota, He was surrounded by loved ones, the music of Willie Nelson and the caring staff at St. Luke’s hospital.

Pete was born in Lewiston, Maine in the summer of 1954. His family moved in the fall of 1956 to the North Shore of Lake Superior where he grew up in Hollow Rock, near Grand Portage and also in Hovland and Grand Marais, Minnesota.

Pete graduated from high school in Grand Marais in the spring of 1973. Pete had a fondness for fast cars, Standard Gas stations and outlaw country music. Pete moved to Lake County after graduation. He married Caroline Parker in June of 1975 and they resided together in Finland, Minnesota for many years. Their four children Troy, Shawna, Justin and Amanda Jean spent their youths in the country, building forts, hunting for agates, causing each other occasional injury, swimming, swinging from trees and challenging their parents.

Pete had a love of Nascar. He and his brother Joe, attended the Daytona 500 in 2015, which was a highlight in his life.

He joined the Finland Fire Department in April 1977. His service with the Finland Fire Department continued until his retirement in 2019. He sold firefighting and search and rescue equipment to ensure local departments would get their best price anywhere to help stretch their budgets. He also was called to the Finland Search and Rescue from 1986 to 2014. After overcoming test anxiety and a couple unsuccessful attempts, he fulfilled his dream of passing the EMT exam. Pete held daytime jobs while also responding when emergencies occurred within his community. He donated countless hours responding to medical emergencies, searching for lost people by land, air and waterways, consoling friends and strangers, contacting people with hard news and taking calls from those who needed a friend.

Pete ran for Lake County commissioner multiple times, first winning this seat in 2012 and had been re-elected since seated in 2013. He worked alongside the Town Clerk Deb Johansen and State Representative Dave Dill in the securing of $250,000 for the Clair Nelson Finland community center to pay off the remaining construction debt. He served on the Board for Finland Coop Store and Arrowhead Regional Development Commission. For those who served with him in government and his volunteer career, they knew they could depend on Pete to lighten the mood in the room with a quick joke or story. He spent over four decades finding a variety of ways to better his county and the lives of those around him.

Pete leaves behind his four siblings, Joe Walsh (Sandy) of Florida, Ada Hill of Grand Marais, Bill Hackett (Carol) of Grand Portage, Wendy Hill (Tim) of Vermont, his four children, 9 grandchildren and many cousins, nieces, nephews and beloved friends. He was preceded in death by his mother Harriet Walsh in 2018.

Funeral and Visitation Information

Celebration of Life: Sunday, June 11, 2023; 1:00 pm
Location: Finland Community Center / Clair Nelson Intermodal Transportation Center, 6866 Cramer Rd, Finland, MN 55603
Uniform: Class A or B Requested
Mourning Bands: Finland Fire Department Personnel Only

All Minnesota Firefighters are invited to support Chief Walsh’s family and the celebration of his life at Finland Community Center / Clair Nelson Intermodal Transportation Center, 6866 Cramer Rd, Finland, MN 55603

There will be a “Sea of Blue” Prior to the Celebration of Life.

Any departments brining trucks please contact the Finland Fire Department for parking location

There will be NO Processional.