STEPHEN TOWNSEND WELCH
Stephen T. Welch, 96, of Ferrisburgh, Vermont passed away Thursday, May 12, 2022 at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, Vermont. Stephen was born May 10, 1926 in Providence, Rhode Island to George Townsend and Mildred Larimer Welch. He grew up in Poughkeepsie, New York.
In 1944, Steve joined the Navy and fought in the South Pacific on the USS Battleship Alabama during World War II. He was very proud of his service, especially being present in Tokyo Bay when the treaty with Japan was signed.
He graduated from Middlebury College, class of 1950, and went on for his MBA at Cornell University’s Business School. Before starting his own accounting firm he worked as Assistant Comptroller at Dartmouth College and later as Comptroller at UVM. He enjoyed playing the clarinet in both the Bristol Town and the Vergennes City bands until just a few years ago. He believed it important to serve his community in large ways and small, proudly serving for many decades in the Lions Club.
He married Patricia Johnson of Springfield, Vermont in 1953, and together they raised a family of six children and seven grandchildren.
Stephen is survived by five children, Peter (Nancy Conant), David, Donald (Traci), Alan (Donna), Andrea Heller (David) and six grandchildren, Sarah Forward (David), Jonathan, Brittany, and Bradley Welch, and Lauren and Kristen Heller.
He is also survived by his sister, Mildred Clough and brother, Edgar Welch (Valerie Reich) and five nieces. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Patricia, his daughter, Linda Welch (Wally Orr), and his grandson Phillip Blaine Welch.
Family and friends are invited to a graveside committal service held 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5th at Prospect cemetery in Vergennes.
Donations in his memory to Addison County Home Health & Hospice, PO Box 754, Middlebury, VT would be greatly appreciated. To send online condolences to his family please visit www.brownmcclayfuneralhomes.com
Dear David and family, I had a root beer float on Memorial Day and was thinking of you. I know I don’t need to tell you what a wondeful man he was. I shall always remember his laugh and that smile! He and your Mother were also so gracious. My love to all, Karen
Steve was an amazing man, and I absolutely loved playing clarinet with him all those many years, reminding me of all the years playing with Linda before. Steve was a fountain of joy! He will be sorely missed by all who knew him, but especially by the music community. My heartfelt condolences to David and the whole family. Jeff Rusik