Thomas B. Welles

Thomas Bradford Welles, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and son, passed away peacefully at age 68 in the early morning of Wednesday, November 26, 2025 in his home in New Fairfield, CT, following a brief battle against cancer. 

Thomas was born May 5, 1957 in New York City, son of Ann Bouton Thom Welles and the late James Bell Welles Jr. He grew up in Chappaqua, NY and attended The Lawrenceville School from 1971-1975.

He earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Union College, graduating in 1979. He was an active member of Psi Upsilon, serving as President of his chapter in his senior year and developing lifelong friendships with brothers with whom he reunited regularly for golf retreats in Pinehurst, NC. 

Thomas married the love of his life, Dana Redding Baugh, on October 3, 1987, and together they raised their children Brad, Andrea, and Lauren in New Fairfield, CT. He became Vice President of Advanced Testing Systems, Inc. in 1985 and spent the remaining 34 years of his career doing the job he loved before retiring at age 62.

Some of his greatest life joys included spending summers with his family in the Big Horn Mountains, Wyoming where he would fly fish in Clear Creek, and watching sunsets from his veranda in Nevis, West Indies. He deeply enjoyed gardening and bringing beautiful plants and vegetables to life, a hobby he cherished throughout his life but especially in his final months where he experimented with new irrigation systems and varieties including grapes. Additionally, he spent the better part of his life researching and documenting his family's extensive ancestry and genealogy, a treasure to be passed on for generations to come.

Thomas was preceded in death by his father, James Bell Welles Jr., and his brother William B. Welles.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years, Dana Redding Welles; his children: Andrea Redding Dragnich and husband, Alexander; Lauren Welles Medley and husband, Justin; and Louis Brad Bifulco; his grandchildren: Oliva Dragnich, Lucy Dragnich, and Mabel Medley; his mother, Ann Bouton Thom Welles; his siblings: Nancy Leahy, James B. Welles III, and Amy Hodge; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. 

A Memorial Service will be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 85 E. Main St., Mt. Kisco, NY on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 11:00AM. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the New Fairfield Community Foundation and sent to 1 Brush Hill Rd., Suite 307, New Fairfield, CT 06812.