John James Walsh was born February 14, 1934 to Thomas J. Walsh and Mary B. Walsh of County Galway Ireland. John and his older brother, Tom, grew up on Clayton and 17th Streets. John attended St. Agnes Elementary School where he made life-long friends. Graduating in 1947, John went on to Sacred Heart High School where he played both basketball and baseball. After graduating in 1951 from Sacred Heart, John went on to become a USF Don where he played baseball and joined the US Army ROTC program. John graduated in 1955 from USF and immediately reported to Fort Huachuca, Arizona as a 2nd Lieutenant. In 1958, he completed his military service and began a 34-year public service career with the City & County of San Francisco.
In 1977, Mayor George Moscone appointed John General Manager of Personnel, Civil Service Commission. John continued in this role during the administrations of Mayors Dianne Feinstein, Art Agnos, and Frank Jordan. John retired in 1992, and in retirement, John served on the San Francisco Civil Grand Jury. John also enjoyed a membership at the Olympic Club and the Golden Gate Football league.
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