RINDGE — John D. Walsh, 70, of Route 119 died June 10, 2010, at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Keene, following a brief illness.

He was born June 8, 1940, in Millinocket, Maine, son of the late John F. and Corrine (Violette) Walsh. He was a graduate of Sterns High School in Millinocket and had attended college in Nova Scotia.

John had been a resident of Rindge since 1961.

He owned and operated Walsh Realty in Rindge since the early 1970s and previously had worked with his parents at Walsh Candies in West Rindge.

He served the town of Rindge as a selectman from 1978 until 1991. He was a former member of the Rindge Planning Board and a member of the Rindge Chamber of Commerce.

John was a member of the New Hampshire Board of Realtors, a member of the Sons of the American Legion Post No. 11 of Jaffrey; and also a member of the Jaffrey Memorial Post No. 5613 VFW.

He was an avid hunter, especially for moose; he enjoyed fishing especially ice fishing. He enjoyed traveling, boating, vegetable gardens, fireworks, and vacations at Goose Rock Beach in Maine.

However, he really excelled in hosting parties for family and friends where he could show off his cooking skills.

Survivors include his wife, Susan M. (Spara) Walsh, whom he married on July 4, 1981; his two daughters, Alison V.W. Scalia of Keene and Michelle C. LaBatt of Fort Polk, La.; his stepson, Adam S. Kraus of West Babylon, N.Y.; a granddaughter, Ava Lynn LaBatt of Fort Polk, La.; an aunt, Patricia Walsh of Shirley, Mass.

In additions to his parents, he was predeceased by a daughter, Patricia, in September 1983, a son, David, in October 1984 and his sister, Jean Marie Walsh, in January 2003.

Family and friends are warmly invited to call at the Cournoyer Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 33 River Street in Jaffrey on Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday at 11 a.m. in St. Patrick Church, 89 Main Street, Jaffrey. The Rev. Wilfred H. Deschamps, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery on Goddard Road in Rindge.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the American Liver Foundation, New England Division, 88 Winchester St., Newton, MA 02461 or to the Rindge Fire & Rescue, attention Rick Donovan, P.O. Box 163, Rindge 03461.

To view an online memorial, send a condolence to John’s family or for more information, please visit www.cournoyerfh.com