Trails Group Plans Plaque to Honor Larry Walsh
Larry Walsh found Confluence the way he found most things worth keeping: by paying attention. A four-decade newspaperman for the Pittsburgh Press and the Post-Gazette, he came chasing stories about snow and rivers and stayed for the rest of his life. He and his partner Mary made their home here for nearly forty years, and…
Larry Walsh found Confluence the way he found most things worth keeping: by paying attention. A four-decade newspaperman for the Pittsburgh Press and the Post-Gazette, he came chasing stories about snow and rivers and stayed for the rest of his life. He and his partner Mary made their home here for nearly forty years, and Larry made the town his beat.
The Great Allegheny Passage was his favorite part of his day. He rode it when the light was still soft and the trail belonged to deer and early risers, then wrote about it for readers two hours up the highway who had never heard of Confluence. His columns sent thousands of cyclists, skiers, and weekend wanderers down into the Laurel Highlands looking for exactly what he had found here.
Now, a local trails group wants to remember Larry with a plaque.
The Somerset County Recreation & Trails Association is accepting suggestions for how Larry should be remembered on the plaque and where it should be mounted. The Somerset-based nonprofit will underwrite the cost of the marker, Confluence resident association member Layne Deakins said.
One possible location is the bridge on the east side of Confluence that links to the GAP, she said.
Suggestions can be sent to: laynedeakinslayne@gmail.com
Larry, a long-time Confluence resident, died unexpectedly Feb. 24 in Pittsburgh. He is survived by his partner of 38 years, Mary Aukerman, of Confluence, and other family members.