Gerard P. “Jerry” Welch, 86, of Natick, passed away on June 8, 2012. He was the beloved husband of Patricia A. (Turner) Welch and the late Reba (Himmelberger) Welch.
Born in Newton, son of the late Daniel and Mary F. (Herlihy) Welch, Jerry was raised there and attended the Newton schools and Our Lady Help of Christians school. After graduating from Newton High School, he enlisted in the United States Navy and valiantly served during WWII aboard the USS Franklin in the Asiatic-Pacific region. He was awarded the Silver Star on August 8, 1945 for gallantry and intrepidity while serving in the central Pacific waters. Upon being honorably discharged from naval service in 1945, Jerry returned to the Boston area and began his career with the United States Postal Service serving in Boston and Framingham until his retirement. After retiring from the USPS, Jerry then went to work for the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority as a toll collector. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Natick and the Disabled American Veterans.
In addition to his wife, Jerry is survived by his son, Gerard P. Welch, Jr. and his wife Donna of Reading, PA; his step-children, Elizabeth Songer of Bethlehem, PA, William Songer of San Diego, CA, and Teresa Songer of Atascadero, CA; his grandsons, Daniel, Shaun, and Joseph; 4 great-grandchildren; and his sisters, Mary McMillen of Newton, Alice Patterson of Roundtop, NY, Rita Sheehy of Newton, and Joan Sheehy of Newton. He was the brother of the late Daniel Welch.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Jerry’s funeral from the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park St. (at Natick Common) Natick on Monday, June 11, 2012 at 9:00 AM to be followed by his Mass of Christian Burial in St. Patrick’s Church, Natick at 10:00 AM. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Stephen’s Cemetery, Framingham. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, June 10, 2012 from 3-6 PM.
For directions and online guestbook please visit www.everettfuneral.com