by Julie Criswell | Nov 23, 2013 | Stories
November is the time of year that reminds us to be thankful. However, this past year has shown our family to be thankful always. We were all, and still are, devastated by our loss of Brian. Yet, how could one know him, and not be grateful! Much has been said about him and it is all amazingly true. However, as I write this tearfully, through all our sorrow, when I look back over this past year, I am grateful. first, for the time shared with Brian and second for you. If you are reading this, you have given and shared generously with the Walsh Family. Ed and I have seen so many kind and generous acts over this past year, it is overwhelming. Trying to name them all, would be impossible; and I would not want to leave anyone or any kind act off the list. So, for every act, thought or prayer; for those we know, and those we know and those we will never know, we give thanks to God for you and your caring for Amy, Mackenzie, Sean and Kelly. Love, Nancy and Ed Hargest (Amy’s...
by Julie Criswell | Jul 12, 2013 | Adult Life, Stories
For many years, Walsh, Brian Gracie, Joe Barger and I sat together for the Raven’s games. We would get together before each season for a ticket swap ,trying to trade games that we knew we couldn’t attend, and get a couple of seats in exchange. As you can imagine, this was a less than scientific undertaking. We were usually more confused afterward as to who had which tickets than we were before we got together. One Sunday, I called Walsh at 8:30 in the morning to find out if he was going to the game and to see if he wanted to drive down together. He answered the phone and told me that he was not attending, but thought that Joe had the ticket. Several phone calls later, after determining that Joe was out of town, Walsh told me that he thought the ticket was in Joe’s office drawer. Walsh took it upon himself to contact the Office Manager at Joe’s office and ask if she could meet me there that morning on short notice and get me into Joe’s office, so that the ticket would not go unused. She was happy to help out, and when I met her a little later, I realized that Brian had orchestrated this entire effort from his In-laws home in Arizona. He had picked up the phone at 5:30 am to take my call and had continued to call back East until the ticket had a home. He never once mentioned what his situation was; he just wanted to help out. This is just one of the many stories that I could...
by Julie Criswell | Jul 12, 2013 | Adult Life, Stories
The day before Brian passed away, he was in my office in his hot pink sweatshirt that I hated. Only Brian could get away with wearing that color pink and oh, how I wish I could see him in that shirt again. He asked me to mediate in a slight argument he was having with Wendi, his assistant. Brian was asked to do a favor for someone who had asked for many favors before. Brian was going to do the favor, which would cost Brian some money. Wendi wanted Brian to say no. She was “taking care of Brian”. She thought that the person asking for the favor was taking advantage of Brian’s good nature. Brian was explaining to me and to Wendi, that it was important to look at the big picture. He told us that in the scheme of things this small sum of money would mean little to him. However, it would mean a great deal to the person who needed the favor. Brian told us to look forward to the evening meal in that person’s home. How different the meal and the evening would be if he was able to tell his wife that he could do the thing requested or how miserable the meal and the evening would be if he had to tell his wife that he could not get the amount of money they needed. He easily convinced us that this one small favor could change a family’s outlook, certainly for the evening and hopefully, for longer than that. Brian was not just generous with his pocketbook and with his time, but...
by Julie Criswell | Jul 12, 2013 | Adult Life, Stories
Just a few short months ago Brian Walsh died of an embolism. His death, while rather quick and sudden, leaves a long and dramatic void in my world, but also in the world that we financial service providers live in. Who was Brian Walsh you may ask? Well first and foremost he was one of the finest, most decent people God ever put on this earth. All those that knew him would echo my sentiments. But for those of you who live in the financial services world, who derive a living and are building a career in it, you owe this man a huge debt of gratitude. I’m here to tell you why, and hope, I mean hope, those that knew him will remember his great deeds, and those that didn’t, understand and appreciate the legacy he blazed to make this industry a better place for you and future representatives. Brian started in this business about 23 years ago, when I hired him to be a part of The Morgan Financial Group. Upon first meeting him, I knew he’d be successful. He was engaging, smart, witty, energized but most importantly the kind of guy you didn’t just like being around………………………you loved being around! Early on as I held leadership positions as well as chair positions in our local organization, I enlisted Brian to “step up” and get involved. In the ever changing world we were living in, volunteerism was so passé, it was hard to find good leaders. I needed to look no further. Besides stepping into all the committee work…….. program chair, membership chair, IFAPAC chair, Sales Congress...
by Julie Criswell | Jun 18, 2013 | College (James Madison University), Stories
Great story about Brian… Who do you call when you end up in the slammer in college for drinking a little too much and riding, and falling off, a bicycle? Walsh, of course! He was the fraternity President at the time, was the most trusted person I knew, and oh yeah, he had a car. 3 am phone call… West: “Hey Walsh. I need your help. I am in jail and need a ride outta here.” Walsh: “Westie? Are you f’ing with me. It’s 3 am. “ West: “No, I am serious!” Walsh: “Sh@#…you dumb ass! I will be there in 30 minutes!” And of course he was, laughing with me about it the whole time, never once making me feel like calling him was an inconvenience or imposition. That was Brian! Bob DT310 Robert S. West, MS, FACHE CEO Pulmonary and Critical Care Associates of Baltimore 410-494-7921...
