Richard H. Welsh Jr.

WARRENSBURG * Richard H. Welsh Jr., 69, of Moose Ridge Drive, passed away, Sunday morning, Aug. 27, 2006, at the Albany Medical Center Hospital after suffering an aortic aneurysm.

Richard was born in Mount Vernon, N.Y., in Nov. 12, 1936.

Raised in Pelham, Richard attended St. Catherine's Elementary and was a noted track star at Stepanic High School in White Plains. He participated in school musicals with classmates Alan Alda and John Voight. Richard attended Manhattan College and earned a full track scholarship after battling and recovering from polio. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, and was a proud,member of Phi Kappa Theta.

Growing up, he spent every summer in Iowa, home of his parents' family, rounding up cattle and working on the farm.

After completion of Marine officer candidate school, he served as a Lieutenant in Okinawa just prior to the Vietnam War. He proudly served his country as a Marine Officer from 1957 to 1960, retiring as Captain.

His professional career began when he joined Cannon Mills in the early 1960s as a yarn salesman and was then promoted into the Consumer Products Bedding Division. He worked very hard and became Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing from 1982 to 1986. In 1986, Fieldcrest purchased Cannon and he was Senior Vice President of Bedding Marketing and Sales. From 1988 to 1992 he was Vice President of Sales for Bibb Manufacturing, developing a brand new division to launch an upscale line in the department store market for the company. In 1993, he began a career with Henstan International, where he was involved in global sourcing for several major manufacturers until his retirement. Dick was well-known throughout the industry for his expert marketing ability and his knowledge of the textiles. He was well-respected by his peers and competitors alike. Before retiring, he was self-employed, importing yarn from Egypt and Portugal.

Richard will be remembered by most for his outstanding natural musical talents. He was an accomplished pianist, gifted with the ability to play without the aid of written music. He used his God-given gift to entertain his wife, children, friends and family, playing the piano, singing and even playing his accordion. As a young adult, he sang with the Bronx famous St. Helena's Glee Club. Richard was an active member of St. Cecilia's Catholic Church in Warrensburg, where he served as a member of the Pastoral Council and Music Ministry. He performed many ministries, including providing transportation for seniors to Mass every Sunday, providing music at the Countryside Manor Adult Residence and assisting his wife, Phyllis, in her ministries as Pastoral Associate at St. Cecilia's.

Anyone who had the privilege of spending time with Richard will recall his humor, compassion, generosity and penchant for vacuuming.

Richard was predeceased by parents, Richard and Helen Welsh, and his sister, Margaret Cabriele.

He is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Phyllis Welsh of Warrensburg; daughter, Ellen Volpe and her husband, Bob, of West Haven, Conn.; son, Rick Welsh of Oxford, Conn.; daughter, Laura Welsh of Lahaina, Hawaii; son, Mark Welsh of New York City, N.Y.; stepdaughter, Kimberly Brewster and husband, Tom, of Charlotte, N.C.; granddaughter, Jade Volpe and great-granddaughter, Chloe Joslin; former wife, Sheila Welsh, of Orange, Conn.; brother, Joe Welsh and his wife, Ginny, of Raleigh, N.C.; several nephews, nieces, cousins and countless special friends.

Friends may call on Richard's family from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at St. Cecilia's Roman Catholic Church, Main Street, Warrensburg.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church, with the Rev. Paul Cox officiating.

The Rite of Committal with full military honors will follow the Mass in St. Cecilia's Cemetery, Warrensburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may take the form of donations to the St. Cecilia's Roman Catholic Church, Building Fund, Main Street, Warrensburg, NY 12885.

Please visit www.alexanderfuneralhomes.com for online guest book, condolences and directions.