Richard M. Welch

Richard M. Welch, 67
     MARBLEHEAD, Mass.-Richard M. Welch, 67, of Marblehead died Friday morning, Nov. 11, 2005 in the LifeCare Center in Lynn, Mass., following brief illness with leukemia.
    B orn in Salem, Mass., the son of the late Attorney William B. and Anne (Connelly) Welch, he was raised in Marblehead. Following his graduation from Cranwell Preparatory School in Lenox, Mass., he received his bachelor's degree in arts and sciences from Holy Cross in the Class of 1961.
     Mr. Welch then began a career in advertising and was the president of Scott Advertising, a business he owned for several years. In 1971, Mr. Welch was selected as one of the ten outstanding young men in New England. This award was followed by many other awards for creative work in advertising including awards for creative work in advertising, including the prestigious Frank Hatch award for creativity. For several years he served as the vice president of the Marblehead Junior Chamber of Commerce.
     He later continued his advertising career with the National Fisherman Magazine until his retirement in 1994.
     A passionate sailor, he was a life member of the Boston Yacht Club in Marblehead where he was regarded as one of the 25 oldest members. He was past president and a competitive skipper in the Rhodes 19 fleet, aboard his boat Real Gusto. Mr. Welch had traveled extensively to compete in local, East Coast, and national championships, winning much silver along the way. He was also known for he ability to teach young crew the joy and competition of sailing.
     In 1994, Mr. Welch embarked on his dream of circumnavigating the Caribbean and parts of South America with his beloved dog, Chauncy. During this, he visited a total of 31 countries.
     In 1998, he settled in beautiful Jekyll Island, Ga., where his passion for nature led him to his second career as a nature photographer. His nature photography captured the beauty of Jekyll Island and was honored with numerous awards.
     He is survived by three children, Melissa and her husband Leroy Watford of Pinehurst, N.C., Attorney Richard C. Welch and his wife Thelma Lopes-Welch, M.D., of Washington, D.C., and Cassandra Welch of Washington, D.C.; a brother, Attorney Robert and his wife Ann Marie Welch of Swampscott, Mass.; two sisters Nancy and her husband Joseph Ryan of Marblehead, Mass., and Patricia Davern of Salem, Mass.; three grandchildren, Kaylee, Catherine and Jackson Watford, of Pinehurst, N.C.; his former wife Elizabeth (Carey) (Welch) Michaud of Marblehead, and many nieces and nephews.
     He was predeceased by a brother, William B. Welch Jr., and a brother-in-law, Attorney Timothy J. Davern, in July of this year.
     His funeral will be held on Monday at 9:15 a.m., from the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., (corner of North Street), Salem to be followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m., in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 85 Atlantic Ave., Marblehead. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours, Sunday from 2-6 p.m. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Salem.
     For more information call (978) 744-0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.
    
     Those who wish may make memorial contributions to:
    Georgia Sea Turtle Organization
    Jekyll Island Foundation
    381 Riverview Dr.
    Jekyll Island, Ga. 31527
    or by visiting GeorgiaSeaTurtles.org.
     Richard M. Welch