David T. Welch of Wayland, 63, passed peacefully at Massachusetts General Hospital Sunday, January 8, 2012, with his life partner Margo Melnicove, brother Ken Welch of Mattapoisett, and friend Carl Corey of West Roxbury at his bedside.
For four years, David fought a heroic battle against prostate cancer the same way he lived his life: fearlessly, and with determination and unflagging optimism.
Whatever the task, David did it with gusto—whether pulling a 2-lb. largemouth from Dudley Pond or a 127-lb. halibut from Kachemak Bay; playing starting lineman as a freshman at Colorado State or learning to curl at Broomstones just a few years ago; walking around his neighborhood or atop the Great Wall of China; savoring a full course dinner or a burger off his grill.
David loved singing to Margo, laughing, learning, sharing a meal with family and friends, driving his truck, holding an infant, skating with godson Michael J. Yan, clearing snow for his neighbors, mowing the lawn, watching a Red-tail soar, the Pats when they’re winning, the colors of roses, Mark Twain, Tina Turner, biology, cosmology and big blubbering dogs.
David also loved his work.
He was the proud proprietor of D.T. Welch Carpentry for 25 years, never needing to advertise because his customers spread word of his eye for beauty and detail, skill, versatility, intelligence and integrity.
Born October 7, 1948, in Brookline, David was the devoted son of the late Donald and Jane (Carroll) Welch; dear nephew of Carolyn (Carroll) Titcomb, Robert Welch, and the late Alice Margaret (Welch) MacMillan; much acclaimed cousin of Billy, Tim, Josh, Big Pete, Little Pete and Julie Titcomb, Robert and Katherine Welch, and Ron, Thom and Susan MacMillan; and admired son-in-law of Harold and the late Rhona Melnicove.
David could talk with anyone about almost anything. By all accounts, he was “a great guy.” A celebration of David’s life will be held this summer near his favorite Buzzards Bay fishing spot.