Paul E. Welch

Paul Edward Welch Jr., passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Friday, August 15th, 2014. His last weeks were spent at home. This was made possible through the exceptional care provided by Citrus County Hospice. There, Paul was surrounded by his loving wife of 61 years, Dorothy and his three daughters, Theresa (Welch) ONeil, Diane (Welch) McDonald and Laura (Welch) Wiemers along with their spouses. In addition, Paul is survived by five Grandchildren and five Great-Grandchildren.

His life began on June 22, 1929 in Detroit Michigan when he was born to Paul E. Welch Sr. and Anne Elizabeth Welch. Paul lived most of his life in Chicago, Illinois, leaving for just two years to serve his country with the US Army in Japan. When he returned to Chicago in 1948, he enrolled at George Williams College to study physical education. While attending college Paul met for the second time, a pretty 19 year old lady, Dorothy Cassidy, who he would marry one year later on July 10th, 1953. Together they raised three children while working hard and having fun whenever the opportunities arose.

The prospect of daily golf and great times brought the Welch's to Beverly Hills, Florida in 1995 for retirement. Together Paul and Dorothy lived a very active social life in their community, always involved in anything having to do with good friends and fun. Paul also had a serious side to him. He was civic minded and served his community. First, as a member of the Prince of Peace Catholic School Board for many years and later as a twice elected member of the Laurel Ridge Association Board.

His lifelong hobbies were listening to good music, specifically opera, baseball and golf. As a boy he loved to play baseball. Paul’s greatest desire was to be a major league pitcher when he grew up, preferably with his beloved Chicago White Sox. He lived and breathed baseball until he had an unfortunate sports accident that shut him out of the game and a professional baseball career. Paul never played much after that, but he sure loved to watch the game live, recorded or simply listen to it on the radio! Every morning he read all the baseball stats from the day before, examining the Sports Section first before reading the rest of the morning newspaper.

Memorial Mass of Remembrance for Paul will be held on Saturday, September 13th, 2014, 11:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 1401 W. Country Club Blvd., Citrus Springs, FL. A luncheon will follow mass at the church hall. Inurnment will be on Monday, September 15th, 2014, 11AM at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Ave., Bushnell, FL. 33513

The family asks that in lieu of flowers and in Paul Welch's memory, donations be made to Citrus County Hospice, PO Box 641270, Beverly Hills, FL 34464, so that families can continue to receive the exceptional support and love that the Welch family received during their beloved Husband and Father's final days.

Arrangements entrusted to

Fero Funeral Home

www.ferofuneralhome.com