Walter J. Welch

Binghamton: Walter James Welch, age 89, passed away on Monday, December 26, after a few years of declining health and having spent this past year at the New York State Veterans Home in Oxford. Walter was born in Boston, MA, the oldest of four sons of James and Marie Welch. He was predeceased by two of his brothers, Robert and Edward Welch and his son-in-law, John McNeish. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Eleanor and his four children, John Welch, and friend Mary Foraker, Kathryn McNeish, Judith Phillips, Lizabeth Waples and her husband, Edward; daughter-in-law, Grace Welch; seven grandchildren, Dana, Jason, Matthew, Jennifer, Kyle, Brendan and Andrew; two great-grandchildren; his brother, James Welch, mother-in-law, Eleanor O'Toole; and many nieces and nephews. Walter graduated from Boston College in 1943 with a Master's Degree in Chemistry, after which he enlisted in the United States Navy. He was assigned to the Marine Corps as a Pharmacist's Mate stationed in the Pacific Theaters of Operation; 7th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion in Guam during WWII. After the peace treaty was signed, he was one of the first marines to arrive in Japan under General Douglas MacArthur. Upon returning to Boston, Walter met and married Eleanor O'Toole and taught Chemistry at the Mount St. Mary College in New Hampshire. A job opportunity brought the newlyweds to GAF in Binghamton, NY, where Walter worked and retired after 35 years of service. While working at the research and development department at GAF, Walter developed many patents in his name. He was then a consultant for a variety of chemical companies, working well into his 80's. Walter was an avid runner and walker throughout his life and enjoyed playing volleyball and tennis. He spent many summers on the St. Lawrence River with his family, fishing and boating. In his later years, you could find him sitting on his front porch solving crossword puzzles or walking the Port Dickinson Park. And although Walter lived in New York State for 53 years, his allegiance to his hometown Boston Red Sox was unwavering! Dad will be greatly missed by his family and they wish to thank the doctors and nursing staff at the Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich for their kind and compassionate care provided to him. A funeral mass will be offered on Thursday, December 29, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Frances of Assisi Church. Burial will follow in Chenango Valley Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 28, 2011, at the Wm. R. Chase and Son Funeral Home, 737 Chenango Street, Port Dickinson, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Walter's memory may be made to the New York State Veterans Home in Oxford, 4211 State Highway 220, Oxford, NY 13830.