John J. Welsh

1944 - 2013

John J. Welsh Retired Conductor for Boston & Maine -- Mass. Bay Commuter Railroad -- TEWKSBURY -- John J. Welsh, age 69, a resident of Tewksbury for 37 years, passed away at the Tufts Medical Center in Boston on Tuesday, July 2, 2013, following a courageous battle with lung cancer. He was the beloved husband of Nancy E. (Segerstedt) Welsh, with whom he celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on May 5th. Born in Chelsea on May 27, 1944, he was the son of the late Joseph R. Welsh and the late Agnes (Cronin) Welsh. John was raised in Chelsea, attended St. Rose Parochial School and graduated from the Everett Vocational Technical School. In 1967, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during the Vietnam War. He was awarded several decorations for his military service including the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. John resided in Everett until moving to Tewksbury in 1976. Prior to his retirement in 2005, he was employed as a Conductor by the Boston & Maine -- Mass. Bay Commuter Railroad, where he worked for 35 years. In addition, he was a member of the United Transportation Union. During his retirement years, John worked part-time delivering automotive parts for Consumer Auto Parts Co. in Lowell. -- John enjoyed tinkering in his shed and puttering around his yard. -- One of his greatest joys was vacationing at Lake Winnipesaukee with his family and extended family. -- In addition to his wife, Nancy, John is survived by one son, Erik J. Welsh and his wife, Sarah of Dracut; one daughter, Dawnmarie Sandberg and her husband, Keith of Tewksbury; four grandchildren, Ian J. and Jared J. "JJ" Welsh and Kyle E. and Ryan J. Sandberg; two brothers, Edward Welsh of Everett and Barry Welsh of Dracut; also five brothers-in-law, five sisters-in-law, many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and cousins including "CUZ" Jimmy and Linda Cronin. John was the brother of the late Elaine Maillet, Nancy Lehmann, Gail Winam, and Joseph Welsh. WELSH -- John J. Calling hours will be Monday, July 8, from 4-8 p.m. in the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. His funeral will be held Tuesday, July 9, at 9 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by his Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Dorothy's Church, cor. of Main & Harnden Sts., Wilmington. Interment at St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the M.S.P.C.A-Nevins Farm, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844. www.farmerandee.com