David William Welch

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of David William Welch, who died peacefully early Saturday morning, May 24th. David was a devoted husband, father, and papa—a man whose life was filled with love, joy, and cherished memories, and whose warmth touched all who knew him.

Born in 1943 in Cowley, Sheffield, England, David was truly a son of the dales. From an early age, he followed in his father's footsteps, becoming a loyal supporter of Sheffield Wednesday. His lifelong passion for sports continued through college, where he was inspired by cricket legend Geoffrey Boycott. David played cricket in a local league, cheered on by his young family, fostering a love of the game in those around him.

Though he once considered joining the navy, David’s career took a different turn. He embarked on a long and successful journey in the hospitality industry—a passion he later shared with his eldest daughter, Alex. His work with the World Bank took him to far-flung cities and countries, often off the beaten path. David’s love of travel and adventure was further rewarded when he was lucky enough to be a passenger on the last Concorde flight from Washington, DC, to Heathrow.

In 1992, David realized his dream of relocating to the USA. There, baseball took the place of cricket, and he became a proud Orioles fan, attending games at Camden Yards with his youngest daughter, Maxine. He loved nothing more than unwinding with a fine scotch and a good cigar alongside his sons-in-law. David also found great happiness caring for his beloved flowers, tending to his extensive train and stamp collections, and sitting on his poolside deck, watching the sun set with his wife by his side.

David will be remembered as a wonderful person—a caring and devoted husband, and a gentle father and grandfather. His soft touch and kind spirit will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Hilary, who stood by him through every journey; his daughters and sons-in-law, Alex and David Caceres, Maxine and Brian Hughes; and his cherished granddaughters, Grace, Rachel, and Mirai, for whom he will always be their “ice-cream papa.”

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date, with details to be announced.