To the Walsh family and friends of Mr. Walsh from Captain John and Coreen Nicolai, It’s with sadness that I learned of the passing of Mr. Walsh on Saturday night after doing a lecture at the Regency in Bar Harbor. I always addressed Tom Walsh as Mr. Walsh even though one day at the Harborside dock he said John “it’s Tom”. I told Mr. Walsh that I appreciated his offer, but being raised in an old fashion European family I don’t think I can do it. Mr. Walsh had qualities that few people possess and I’m not thinking of his exceptional business acumen, I’m relating to his generosity, honesty, acute dedication to his family, his appreciation of competent hard working employees and management. His concern and appreciation for people surrounding him in everyday life was unique. His ability to remember people’s names and always finding the time to acknowledge them and say a kind word was a tribute to his humanity. Every spring Mr. Walsh would come down to the Harborside dock and stop to see me on my tour boat “Lulu” to ask me how I was doing and did I make money the previous season. My answer was standard: “I can’t complain” and “I had a great season” which always put a big smile on his face and mine too. When Mr. Walsh bought 1 West Street with all the tour boats, I thought my days would be over running the Lulu from the Harborside Hotel docks. Among those boats was a new lobster tour boat the “Miss Samantha” that did the same style of tours I did. I expected Eben Salvatore (Mr. Walsh’s inseparable apprentice) to come down to the dock any day to give me the inevitable news that I had been replaced by their newly acquired boat. Instead, Mr. Walsh came down himself and as usual with a smile said hello and asked me “if I was happy working at the Harborside dock” to which I replied, “yes sir I am” to which he answered “ John as long as you’re happy here, you’re welcome to stay as long as you want”. On a simple handshake, that relationship lasted for 16 years until I sold the Lulu and my business to the present owners. I’m now semi-retired and I will never forget Mr. Walsh’s kindness and his rock solid character. To his beloved wife and family (I kinda have a soft spot for his son Mike) and his trusted entourage (I’m thinking of Eben especially) please accept Coreen’s and my most sincere condolences for the loss of a true gentleman and family man. Tom, thanks for all you’ve done for my family. Respectfully, Captain John Nicolai