Yonkers, New York
Artistic Visionary
When Timothy Matthew Welty was 15, he bought a junk car and surprised his father. "I go into the garage and he's got the car up on jacks and all the pieces lying around," said his father, Bill. "I say, `What the hell are you doing?' and he says, `Fixing the brakes.' I say, `You don't know how to fix brakes,' and he says, `I took the brakes apart and I remember how it goes. I'll put it back together.' "
It was a turning point in their relationship, said his father, a college professor. He realized that his son "had a kind of intelligence that I don't have."
Tim Welty's true métier was in the physical world. A strong, wiry man who could do push-ups with two fingers, he skied, sky-dived and motorcycled, and he played hockey and volleyball for the Fire Department. He was a firefighter with Squad 288 in Queens.
Firefighter Welty, 34, who lived in Yonkers with his wife, Delia, and two young children, had recently started a construction company. He renovated his mother's house, gutting it and adding skylights, new molding and handmade parquet floors. Now, seeing his handiwork gives his mother, Adele, comfort. "It was not only the skill of his carpentry but his artistic vision that makes the house so special now," she said.
"He was a philosopher, too," said Delia Welty. When couples who they knew would argue, "We'd hear the guy's side but not the girl's and I'd form an opinion," she said. "Tim would always say, `Well, wait, we should hear the other side.' He taught me to see everything from a different angle."
I never met Tim, but I learned about him from his widow, Delia, at a meeting at the Javits Center in Manhattan in 2002. I was one of many group facilitators who to took recommendations for rebuilding the Twin Towers. I was impressed with Delia´s courage & effort to help our group submit meaningful suggestions that would honor Tim & others lost on 9-11. I will never forget Tim or Delia. Carol Cole, Wayland MA
Carol Cole
May 26, 2025
Christy Miller
November 10, 2024 | Other
Christy Miller
November 10, 2024 | Other
I participated in a fundraiser yesterday and walked for Tim. Although I never met Tim, I feel like to have gotten to know him just a bit by reading the condolences below. Thank you Tim for your dedication to the FDNY. One day we will meet in a better place. Praying for peace!
Christy Miller
November 10, 2024 | Other
Tim was my high school classmate and because our last names were alphabetically close, we were in the same homeroom all 4 years. I always loved talking with him. We were both baseball fans and as I played at Molloy he always checked in and asked how it was going and how I was doing. He had a type of toughness that even among New York City kids was tougher. That he fearlessly gave his life in service to others doesn´t surprise me at all. To all his close family, I say this: may you be at peace...
Matt Reyes
September 07, 2024 | Friend
I´m walking / climbing the stairs in Green Bay Wisconsin, honoring the fallen . I selected his badge ! !!
Linda Blume
September 07, 2024 | Other
I attended a 9-11 memorial in Texas in 2023. A photo of every single first responder who perished that day was along the hallways. I walked past a picture of Timothy and was drawn to him. I couldn't explain it. I wish the family the best wishes and comfort. Peace be with you and know that Timothy was doing something he loved.
Janet Taylor
April 25, 2024
Timmy has never left my heart in all these years. I only wish he had never left this earth so he could be with his family. The light he shined was so very special. Never forgotten for sure.
Lisa Mazzarino
September 11, 2022 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Friend
I wear this memory bracelet in your honor. Rest In Peace. We never Forget!
Charlie Owens
September 10, 2022 | Other
