Dr Nicholas Richard Walsh MVB, MRCVS passed away peacefully at Bendigo Hospital
on 22nd January 2026 after a short battle with acute leukemia
(Former owner and Vet at Williamson Street Veterinary Clinic).
Loved father of Helen, Rose, Ben, Columban and Naomi.
Father in law of Kane (dec), Veronica and Steve.
Grandad to Rafferty, Estelle, Abigail, Madeleine, Reuben, Remi and Julia.
A service to celebrate the life of Dr Nicholas Walsh will be held in St Kilian’s Catholic Church, McCrae Street, Bendigo
on Saturday 7th February at 1.00pm. Following this service there will be a Wake at All Seasons, McIvor Road starting at 2pm.
Burial will take place at Elmore Cemetery at 11.00am Sunday the 8th of February.
If you wish to join us at the service at St Kilian's Church via livestream,
please return to the home page of this website and click on the livestream button.
The service will be live approximately 5 - 10 minutes prior to commencing.
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Dad was an amazing and unique man. Highly intelligent, interesting and generous.
Being Irish, he loved to talk and was very opinionated.
He practiced as a veterinarian for most of his life, he was also chicken farmer for about seven years and ran several small businesses on side. He worked hard all his life and invested wisely.
During his retirement he loved watching sport on Kayo and enjoying a beer at night.
He also really loved taking his caravan out and enjoying the countryside. I guess being a man of science, he was very focused on his health, growing his own vegetables, making his own sauerkraut and signature salad and regularly exercising. He didn’t like shows like Masterchef as he said they focused on “taste rather than health”. However, when at a family party he would pile up the yummy tasty indulgent treats on offer- which would give us a giggle.
Dad was strong, fit and healthy man until the last little bit. For an 83-year-old, that’s pretty amazing! and demonstrates how well he looked after himself which gave an example to all us kids. He always used to say to me “you’ve got to take on some risk” which I interpreted as; don’t be fearful to enjoy a full life.
Love you Dad, as I said after the doctor said that he would be withdrawing treatment “I will miss you”, goodbye until I see you in heaven.
At peace with God.
Rose
Lord rest you Nicholas.
I’ll miss you as a brother, the older brother.
I feel so fortunate that I had the opportunity to have had that long phone chat with you just a week before you departed from us.
He was just 4 years my senior so was a few classes ahead of me as we attended school in the CBS, Enniscorthy. He achieved well academically and both he and Eddie (older still) set a standard and a pathway that I unconsciously felt I had to follow. Mamma was a great believer in the power of education and quietly encouraged us to continually do well.
She was well proud of him that Graduation Day in UCD (1968)
Sport (Hurling and Gaelic Football) was deep in our DNA from our father (also Nick…..Nick Walsh of Ballyhogue). Any open space for us was a hurling pitch and street leagues were organised locally with no adult input. In these Nicholas was a tough-as-nails player and then in time with club (St Aidan’s, Starlights), with school (CBS Enniscorthy) and later with college (UCD).
In those early years before our paths diverged I recall him as being intense and inquisitive, qualities he possessed till the end.
Such a wipe-out over the last 10 months, Sean (March 2025), Eddie (June 2025) and Mary in August 2018 shortly after Nicholas’s visit to Ireland in May of that year.
Go raibh síocháin na bhFlaitheas oraibh go leir agus go dtuga Dia sólás daoibh (Gaelic)
Meaning: May the peace of Heaven be upon ye and may God give ye comfort.
Richard
Sincere condolences to Helen, Rose, Ben, Columban, Naomi and all of Nick’s extended family.
I have very fond memories of Nicks time with us in Dublin on his tour of Ireland with Naomi in 2018.
It was a joyous occasion … sight-seeing wearing silly leprechaun hats, visiting the former site of his Alma Mater in Ballsbridge (UCD Veterinary College), and the entertainment of his reminiscences of early life in Enniscorthy and student life in Dublin.
He and Dad had shared ‘digs’ together in Talbot Street, Dublin City for a short time in 1964, so a few fun stories were regaled!
We honour the memory of Nick – an eloquent, intriguing, and fascinating man.
Rest in Peace dear Uncle.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
Siobhan Walsh
Nick Walsh was one of those rare people you could talk to for five minutes or five hours and always walk away having learned something.
A natural conversationalist, he had a remarkable depth and breadth of knowledge, and he shared it generously, never to impress, always to connect.
As a veterinarian, Nick combined skill with genuine compassion. He cared deeply — not only for animals, but for the people who loved them. His calm presence, empathy, and quiet reassurance meant more than he probably ever realised. He didn’t just treat pets; he supported families.
Beyond his profession, Nick was a true lover of nature and sport. He appreciated the outdoors, the living world, and the simple joy of being active and engaged.
That sense of curiosity and appreciation for life carried into everything he did.
Nick will be deeply missed by so many — for his wisdom, his kindness, his warmth, and his ability to make others feel heard and valued.
Sending heartfelt condolences to his family and all who loved him. His impact and memory will endure.
Thank you for many wonderful years of friendship.
The Bennett family (Robert, Rosalie, Renee and Ryan and our 3 fur babies he tended to for 17 years -Asha, Elle and Abbey)
Rest in Peace Dad.
In the last week’s of your life, you seemed to still have so much passion for life. You were making plans for travelling in your caravan, your veggie patch was well watered and fruiting, you even had a fresh stack of books to read in the new year. It has been extremely difficult to say goodbye. I will miss talking with you about all these things.
And updating you on grandchildren Remi and Julia’s forays into childhood and school.
Thank you for your many years of guidance and wisdom, and for bringing me up with a passion for curiosity, sustainability and conservation.
May you have comfort and peace in the next life.
May the light you gave to others find its way back – warm, steady and near.
Naomi
I remember Nick as a father in law, who had keen insights on all topics and I enjoyed our discussions.
May he rest in peace.
Steve
Heartfelt condolences to all of Nick’s loved ones.
Nick was beloved to our extended family, a fellow grandparent to Reuben with whom we gladly shared family events for many years.
Many Christmas’s, birthdays, father’s Days and Easters enjoyed, sharing stories and having a laugh. Nick’s lovely lilting Irish accent colouring these special days.
Fond memories of bike rides, Nick, Malcolm and Austin and Reuben, setting off for jaunts on their bikes.
Nick you will be sadly missed.
Much love.
Carla, Godfrey and family.
Growing up I didn’t realise I had such a unique funny dad. He’d take me out on vet calls to farms.
In those days there were no child seats and I’d sit in the front of his champagne coloured falcon that he very proudly bought for $3000 brand new. He was very proud of it. We’d have games on the way home like “what are the clouds doing, what’s the story” and I’d construct a story. I’m sure my stories were completely boring but dad always laughed and made me feel special.
At the clinic I was surgery assistant handing him the instruments from my earliest memory but maybe 2 years old. I wasn’t the best assistant. One day we were attending cattle and dad gave me the syringe whilst he placated a cow in a cattle crush. My little mind thought it would be good to draw a picture in the sand with that syringe. Mmm dad wasn’t so appreciative of my artwork that day. My favourite thing was to collect eggs when we went to farms. I’d always get into trouble. I’d often incure injuries. Dad would be there to mop it up. I’ve still got a large scar from those days.
As a youngster I’d struggle with sleep and often have nightmares and dad would spend hours getting me looking at the night sky and calming down. Nothing was too much for him.
As I grew up dad emphasised responsibility and I was always in charge of everyone. I had to change my sisters nappies, and do the washing and look after everyone when mum and dad had their time.
As a teenager dad was really strict on me in all matters and I certainly wasn’t allowed boyfriends. I realise now he was trying to protect me. At one stage he dismantled my bedroom door. He would regularly grill me and I wasn’t allowed to sleep over at anyone’s house.
He softened in time towards everybody else (siblings) so I claim the mantle of breaking him in! I had to be the responsible one growing up. By then we’d moved to Bendigo. One memorable night he came home probably tired from work, everyone monkeying around, he emerged with a vacuum, the ‘Hoover’ and he said words to the effect that there was madness and the Hoover was going to suck it out. Dad kept a straight face and I still don’t know whether he considered that a comic moment. Anyway we could not stop giggling. And it stopped the monkeying around thats for sure.
As an adult Dad was more my comrade. We have similarities and would spend hours on the phone. There wasn’t a week went past without a good chinwag. Neither of us would care what time it was. He’d ring me in the middle of night to tell me about a great sporting match. Or I’d ring him in the evening and he’d stay with me. He’d also tutor his grandkids. Most recently my son in chemistry. God I love you dad! The world will not see the like of you soon but we will see your wishes and all of us and your grandchildren will carry your spirit!
Helen