Washington -- William F. Walsh, the former Syracuse mayor and member of Congress who was the patriarch of a local political dynasty, died this morning at his home in Marcellus, according to his family. He was 98.

Walsh, a Republican, was elected to the first of two terms as Syracuse’s mayor in 1961, giving rise to a career and a family name that would dominate Central New York politics for a half century.

After gaining national prominence as vice president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Walsh ran for Congress. He represented the Syracuse area in the House of Representatives over three terms from 1973 to 1979.

He and his wife of 50 years, the late Mary Dorsey Walsh, raised seven children on Syracuse’s Tipperary Hill, all of whom followed their father into careers in community and public service.

Two of his children, Bill and Martha Walsh Hood, are judges in Onondaga County. James became president of the Syracuse Common Council and went on to a 20-year career in Congress.

Gary Walts / The Post-StandardFormer Syracuse mayor and U.S. Rep. William Walsh says a few words at a ceremony dedicating a learning center in his honor at Le Moyne College in 2004. In background is the Rev. Charles Beirne.

William Walsh had been able to see all of his children, grandchildren and even his first great-grandchild over the holidays, James Walsh said today.

James Walsh said his father continued into his 90s to follow his passions -- fishing on Otisco Lake, golfing and discussing current events.

“He stayed pretty sharp until the end,” James Walsh said. “He tried to stay as active as he could.”

The funeral will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick Church on Tipperary Hill in Syracuse. Calling hours are 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the church, 216. N. Lowell Ave. Ryan Funeral Home, 44 E. Main St., Marcellus, has charge of arrangements.

Contact Washington correspondent Mark Weiner at mweiner@syracuse.com or 571-970-3751.