John Andrew Welch

Kingston, NH: John A. Welch, Jr., 98, of Kingston died on June 22, 2016 at his home with his family by his side.

Born, raised, and educated in Haverhill, son of the late John A. and Elizabeth (Godfrey) Welch, he graduated from Haverhill High School. Mr. Welch served in the United States Army during World War II from 1941 until his honorable discharge in 1945.

Following his honorable discharge, Mr. Welch was employed as a Machine Setter at Western Electric Company for over forty years and was a member of the Telephone Pioneers.

A member of the Elks Lodge #165 in Haverhill and the American Legion in Plaistow, Mr. Welch was a member of many local bowling leagues, including the Western Electric Bowling League. He enjoyed fishing and gardening, especially cultivating his tomato plants. Most of all, Mr. Welch was a devoted father, grandfather, and great grandfather and loved spending time with his family.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Frances M. (Metrick) Welch, his grandson, Julian Belanger, and his second wife, Elizabeth "Betty" Welch, and is survived by a son, Thomas J. Welch of California, a daughter, Joan A. Belanger of Kingston, a sister-in-law, Mary Hanscomb of Somersworth, NH, a daughter-in-law, Nancy Gordon of Newton, NH, three grandchildren, Tina Welch, Mike Welch and his wife Kristen, and Colleen Welch, five great grandchildren, Dominick, Lucien, Robert, Kara, and Jack, and his companion, Ellie Turner.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Graveside Service with the rendering of Military Honors by the United States Army on Monday, June 27 at 11:00 a.m. in Cavalry Cemetery, Greenland Road, Portsmouth, NH.