SCRANTON — The city will rename the North Scranton Mini Park at 1800 Wayne Ave. for the late, retired Scranton firefighter Anthony “Tony” Walsh, who died in 2022.
The park, which abuts the rear of the Scranton Fire Department’s Engine 8 station, had a renovation completed in December 2023. The upgrade included installation of a fire engine playset as an homage to the city’s firefighters.
Walsh
Scranton City Council on Tuesday introduced a resolution from Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti to rename North Scranton Mini Park in honor of Walsh.
“I’m very, very happy to be supporting this … in honor of Tony Walsh,” Councilman Tom Schuster said.
The resolution will come back before council for a vote on adoption Tuesday at City Hall at 6:30 p.m.
According to the resolution:
• Walsh was a lifetime resident of the city who “faithfully served” in the Fire Department for many years and was one of the original 16 members of Rescue Company 1 that provides fire suppression and technical rescue services.
• Walsh also was a proud Army veteran, who served as a military policeman during the Vietnam War.
• For over 45 years, Walsh also worked loyally alongside his sisters and wife, Sandra, at Stirna’s Restaurant, a family-run, North Scranton institution.
• Affectionately known as “Champagne” Tony Walsh, he also was a beloved and appreciated member of the Scranton community, as partially evidenced by the dedication of the 2024 Scranton St. Patrick’s Parade to his memory.
Walsh’s obituary said he was an avid sports fan who enjoyed golf and Penn State football, and he enjoyed attending Nittany Lions games while his grandson, Jake, was a student. And when it came to holidays, Walsh knew how to celebrate and always took great pride in his Halloween decorations and hosted Christmas parties for years with family and firefighter friends. Walsh also had a special bond with his sisters and brother and took great pride in the fact that he was a Walsh.
Scranton is renaming the North Scranton Mini Park at 1800 Wayne Ave. for the late, retired Scranton Firefighter Anthony “Tony” Walsh, who died in 2022. The park, which abuts the rear of the Scranton Fire Department’s Engine 8 station, had an overhaul completed in Dec. 2023 that included a kiddie-sized fire engine playset apparatus because of the close proximity of the Engine 8 station. Photo taken Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
Scranton is renaming the North Scranton Mini Park at 1800 Wayne Ave. for the late, retired Scranton Firefighter Anthony “Tony” Walsh, who died in 2022. The park, which abuts the rear of the Scranton Fire Department’s Engine 8 station, had an overhaul completed in Dec. 2023 that included a kiddie-sized fire engine playset apparatus because of the close proximity of the Engine 8 station. Photo taken Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
Scranton is renaming the North Scranton Mini Park at 1800 Wayne Ave. for the late, retired Scranton Firefighter Anthony “Tony” Walsh, who died in 2022. The park, which abuts the rear of the Scranton Fire Department’s Engine 8 station, had an overhaul completed in Dec. 2023 that included a kiddie-sized fire engine playset apparatus because of the close proximity of the Engine 8 station. Photo taken Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
Scranton is renaming the North Scranton Mini Park at 1800 Wayne Ave. for the late, retired Scranton Firefighter Anthony “Tony” Walsh, who died in 2022. The park, which abuts the rear of the Scranton Fire Department’s Engine 8 station, had an overhaul completed in Dec. 2023 that included a kiddie-sized fire engine playset apparatus because of the close proximity of the Engine 8 station. Photo taken Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
Scranton is renaming the North Scranton Mini Park at 1800 Wayne Ave. for the late, retired Scranton Firefighter Anthony “Tony” Walsh, who died in 2022. The park, which abuts the rear of the Scranton Fire Department’s Engine 8 station, had an overhaul completed in Dec. 2023 that included a kiddie-sized fire engine playset apparatus because of the close proximity of the Engine 8 station. Photo taken Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)