NORTH ANSON – Jacob G. “Jake” Welch Jr., 86, died peacefully in his home on Sept. 26, surrounded by his family at his bedside.

He was born March 11, 1919, in Washington Plantation, the son of Jacob G Welch Sr., and Edna (Townsend) Welch of Wilton. He attended Wilton Schools and married Elizabeth Connelly on Oct. 18, 1942.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, stationed in the Philippines. He was a skilled mechanic and carpenter; farmed for 20 years; owned a secondhand shop in his home for many years; was custodian/bus driver for Mark Emery and Anson Academy; and owned the “The Corner Store” on Main Street in North Anson.

He was a member of the North Anson Fire Department for many years and retired as an honorary member. He also belonged to the VFW.

He enjoyed working in his shop making special gifts for his children and grandchildren. He liked to go to lawn sales and enjoyed going to his camp at Spring Lake to fish with his wife. He also enjoyed his family and watching his grandchildren grow.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Elizabeth A. “Betty” Welch, of North Anson; two sisters, Nettie Pettingill of Jay and Eleanor Fitch of Wilton; three children, Nancy Welch of North Anson, Johnell Rugh and husband, Wayne, of North Anson, and Edward “Skip” Welch and wife, Rachel, of North Anson; 10 grandchildren, Carol “Bonnie” Dyar Eaton of Farmington, Pamela Mitchell and husband, Mike, of North Anson, George “Skip” Rugh and wife, Tammy, of North Anson, Randy Rugh and wife, Diane, of Slippery Rock, Pa., Margie Sawyna and husband, Vi, of Allentown, Pa., Dulcie Dee Hughes and husband, Jake, of North Anson, Dereck Welch and wife, Aaron, of North Anson, Kathy Veilleux and husband, Craig, of Winslow, Susan Benedict and husband, Jeff, of Winslow, and Leeanne Pinkham and husband, Redmond, of North Anson; 18 great-grandchildren, Tracy Daubenberger of Biddeford, Patrick Daubenberger of North Anson, Shyla Dyar of Farmington, Jerzee and Cole Jacob Rugh of North Anson, Mercedes Andrews of North Anson, Madolynn and Gabrielle Hughes of North Anson, Skye and Brooke Welch of North Anson, Derek Mitchell of Orono, Jessica Mitchell of Canaan, Randall Rugh of Greensburg, Pa., Daniel Rugh of Penn State, Pa., Jill and Kelly Sawyna of Allentown, Pa., Tara Burns of Winslow and Jordan Benedict of Winslow; and one great-great-grandson, Kobyn Mitchell of Canaan. Jake also enriched the lives of many foster children. A few special ones were June Ayotte of North Anson, Marcia Collins of Skowhegan and Fred Collins of Randolph; and special friends, Phil and Shirley Raymond of Jay, Madaline Hinkley of Embden and Pauline MacDonald of Bingham.

He was one of 11 siblings, predeceased by his brothers, Clifford Welch and Lawris Welch; and sisters, Gladys Quirrion, Cora Farrington, Mildred Tyler, Florence Everett, Glenda Everett and Ruth Farrington; and a great-great-grandson, Jacob Kristoper Hughes.

Special thanks to Health Reach nurse Lynn Graf, who gave so much of herself in caring for Jacob.

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