Joseph Harold Welsh

Born New Year's Eve 1962, Joseph Harold Welsh did not know the great commission that God had planned for his life. The 3rd son of Dean Werner Welsh and Austin Thomas Welsh, no one knew that Joseph would live a very different life from those of his 6 siblings. Whether it was his difficult labor/delivery or subsequent high fevers, Joe mentally stopped developing at around 11 months. He would never learn to run, drive, work or date, but God gave him to exceptional parents who knew that none of that even mattered. Dean and Austin recognized before anyone that Joe was a treasure. He was a constant in the family life and Dean's work allowed Austin to stay home to care for Joe for 44 years.

After Austin's passing, Joe entered a special program where he lived in a house with a housemate and caregivers. It was as though he 'got his own place' and just bloomed. Joe's extroverted personality burst forth, and he thrived on the company of his doting, dedicated and vivacious caregivers. There was always laughter, singing and music in his new home - such a happy, peaceful atmosphere. For the last 17 years of his life Joe received love from and returned love to this second family.

The tremendous 'work' that God gave Joseph might seem too great for a man who could neither walk unassisted nor speak a single word, but with God all things are possible. Joseph's commission was to bring out the best in every single person who came into contact with him, and this he did perfectly until the moment he left this world. Surrounded by loved ones, his innocent soul flew to heaven the evening of October 24th.

Joseph is survived by siblings Austin "Tom" Welsh (Mary), Chris Welsh, Monica Rose (Morse), Steve Welsh (Jodi), Mary Alice Welsh and Lucia Alperin (Andrew "Norm"), 9 nephews, 6 nieces, 3 grandnephews and 4 grandnieces. His 2nd family of wonderful caregivers and nurses are too numerous to list here, but Joyce Chatman, Tabitha Matthews and Randy Talley represent their collective constant and loving care perfectly.