MAGLAWelch
ALBERT WAYNE WELCH 1919-2003
- MM 1944, Bay State
- Grand Chaplain 1995-2003
MEMORIAL
From Obituary Page:
The Rev. Dr. Albert Wayne Welch of South Athol died on Friday, August 22, 2003 in St. Vincent's Hospital- Worcester Medical Center, Worcester at the age of 84. Born in Phillipston, MA on May 30, 1919, the son of Albert F. And Edith Logan Welch, he was a graduate of Turners Falls High School, Piedmont College in Demorest, GA, and attended Yale Divinity School. In the 1970's, he graduated from Andover/Newton Theological School with both Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees. Ordained to the Christian Ministry in 1948, Rev. Welch served Congregational Christian and United Church of Christ congregations as pastor and teacher in New Salem, MA; Higganum, CT; Chester & Beckett, MA; East Providence, RI; Jamaica Plain, MA; Billerica, MA; Allston, MA; and Erving, MA. In addition, he was a member of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors and served as a hospital chaplain. A member of the Free Masons for almost 60 years, Bert was a past Master {Mason} of Bay State Lodge AF & AM in Montague and was also active in the Star-Athol Lodge AF & AM. He served the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts as Grand Chaplain from 1995 to the present. He was a member of the Mount Toby Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star in Montague.
He was involved in several community and service organizations in every community in which he lived and was active in the Family Federation of World Peace and Unification. His love of children was widely known, as he was Santa Claus to several generations who were all invited to pull his beard as proof that he was real. Bert is survived by his wife, Janet Goldsmith; sons, Stephen and wife Cynda; Jon and wife Emily, and Albert; his daughters, Mary Beth and partner Carmen Abrego; and Ruth; a sister, Marion Gage; a brother Roger and wife Myrtle; a sister in law, Hazel; and his grandchildren, Benjamin, Elisa, Emily, Brice, Jordan, and Dayle; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Warren. A celebration of the life and faith of Albert W. Welch will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2003 at 3:00PM at the South Athol United Methodist Church, 65 Morgan Road, South Athol. A Masonic service will be held prior to the start of the celebration of Bert's life. Following the memorial service, everyone is invited to join the family for a reception in the church hall. There are no calling hours. In memory of Bert, donations are suggested to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104 Witty's Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is directing the arrangements.
