Friends,

It is with the heaviest heart that I reach out to you today to memorialize the passing of our dear friend and my brilliant Chief of Staff, John Walsh.

John was a transformational figure in the history of Massachusetts politics. He was a mentor, colleague, teacher, movement builder, and inspiration.

He believed in the extraordinary capacity of ordinary people. He knew that the path to justice runs through the kitchen tables, civic centers, schools, and town squares in every corner of Massachusetts and our country. And that when we listen to the people, when we support them, our democracy is stronger.

John truly was a visionary who saw talent in everyone, and his genius was hands-on. We see it in the miles of knocked doors, hands he shook, coffee meetings he took, and minds he opened. At his core, John was a grassroots organizer.

He didn’t just see ways to change the world — he dedicated his life to changing it himself. He made time for everyone, shared selflessly of his wisdom and experience, and redefined leadership for Massachusetts candidates.

John’s legacy will be in the young people he mentored and brought into public service, and the livable future they are fighting for every day.

My heart and deepest gratitude are with John’s wife Donna, his son Coleman and his wife Becca, his sister Patti, and the entire Walsh family. We will miss him forever.

Thank you, John, for all you gave to us.

Sincerely,

Ed Markey