Westborough – Richard “Dick” W. Welsh, 89, passed away peacefully with his son, John, at his side Tuesday, March 10, 2015 in Westborough.
Richard is survived by his former wife, Marie Lawson of Venice, Fla.; his son, John Welsh of Harwichport; his daughter, Martha Welsh of Asheville, N.C.; his daughter-in-law, Diane Giles of Delaware, Ontario, Canada; his son-in-law, Joel Pollick of New Rochelle, N.Y.; his granddaughter, Deliah Kolasinski of Dublin, Ohio; his grandson, Gregory Welsh of Boston; his great-grandson, Caleb Kolasinski of Dublin, Ohio; a sister-in-law, Ruth Welsh of Westborough; and several nieces and nephews. Richard was predeceased by his son, Richard, and daughter, Carole Forest; his sisters, Arlene Manning, Marjorie Reardon, and Ruth Johnson; and his brothers, Raymond and Kenneth.
Richard was born in Westborough to Henry and Henrietta (Gerry) Welsh. After attending Holden High School, he enlisted in the Coast Guard. He served in the United States Amphibious Forces during World War II and was a veteran of D-Day in the Normandy Invasion, landing armored forces of General Dempsey’s Second British Army at Gold Beach in the British sector.
After the war, Richard served with the Merchant Marines on the Great Lakes and made numerous trips through the Panama Canal, the design and history of which fascinated him. He returned to Holden, where he married and had a family. He was a Holden police officer and worked for the water department. He worked for the North Attleboro Waste Water Division for many years until his retirement in 1991.
Richard had a lifelong love of hiking, camping, mountain climbing, and studying American history. He learned to play the banjo at a young age and enjoyed all music. He loved photography and leaves his family many treasured photos of their life together. He also enjoyed studying the film craft of many directors, and especially loved David Lean’s “Great Expectations” and Michael Curtiz’ “Casablanca.”
The Welsh family is grateful for the kindness and support of the entire staff of Beaumont Westborough.
A gathering of family and friends will be held at Grove Cemetery in Holden in the spring.
