1915 – 2003

RUMFORD – John Bertrand Welch, 88, of Dixfield, died Tuesday afternoon, July 15, at the Rumford Community Home, where he had been a resident for the past year.

He was born Feb. 2, 1915, in Weld, a son of Oliver and Lelia (Holt) Welch. He attended Dixfield schools graduating from Dixfield High School.

On Feb. 1, 1936, he married Alice Desroches in Dixfield where they made their home on Coburn Ave. for over 60 years. Mrs. Welch died in 1993.

Mr. Welch retired from Stowell-MacGregor after over 50 years of service. He enjoyed all outdoor activities including hunting and fishing. He was also an avid sports fan especially hockey.

He is survived by a son, Michael and his wife Orlene of Bellevue, NE; three sisters, Lorraine Smith of Dixfield, Anita Reynolds of Dixfield, and Ethel Child of Peru; eight grandchildren, Jean Rench and her husband Joseph of Scarborough, Ann Gauvin and her husband Dan of Peru, Debbie Dolloff and her husband Bryan of Peru, Scott Welch and his companion Sarah of Omaha, NE, Heidi Pesarchick of Bellevue, NE, Stacey Houghton of Mass., David Gallant and his companion Melinda Shurtleff of Dixfield, and Wendy Houghton and her companion Gary of Leeds; 12 great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by a son, Larry Welch in 1974; a daughter, Vicki Houghton in 1992; two brothers, Percy and Kenneth Welch; four sisters, Isabelle Knox, May Magoon, Kate Horne, and Barbara Gagnon.