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Thomas Welsh Obituary
Tom was employed at EB General Dynamics for 36 years. He started as a shipfitter in the yard building nuclear submarines, and finished as a structural design supervisor with a master's degree in engineering management.
Tom spent many years sailing at the Thames Yacht Club. He adored sailing, boating and the sea. He was endearingly nicknamed "the pirate" for his love of sailing and vast adventures at the helm. He was a serious competitor in the local racing circuit, as well as many ocean races. In 2018, he was able to fulfill a lifelong dream and sailed a transatlantic crossing. He was particularly competitive in the Force Five fleet, capturing The Best at the Midwinter Regatta in Key Largo. Tom was also able to spend many years as he sailed the Intracoastal Waterway with his parents and wife Pat.
Tom, always with a sly comment or joke to make you laugh, brought joy and respect to all those he met. He will be remembered for his humanity and humbleness, sailing knowledge and acuity, but most of all for his keen sense of humor and devotion to family and friends.
Tom fought bravely to overcome Atypical Parkinson's-Corticobasal Syndrome. We thank all those involved in his care, Masonicare Hospice, John Hopkins Hospital care team, Dr. Josee Cloutier and staff and the Chase movement group in Mystic.
Tom is mourned by his devoted wife Pat; and children, Naomi, Josephine and Thomas; "Pop," Robert Welsh Senior; brother Robert Welsh III; sisters, Gale Talmadge, PattiAnne Mastrandrea, and Sharon McGarry. He was predeceased by his mom Barbara Welsh. May she rest in peace.
A memorial will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at the Thames Yacht Club, 396 Pequot Avenue, New London. Please visit www.Byles.com to sign the guestbook or to leave a memory. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations may be sent to Pacing for Parkinsons, https://aspire.hopkinsmedicine.org/g/p4p.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Welsh
Sponsored by Byles Memorial Home - New London.
Ruth Vanpelt
August 16, 2024
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Russell
August 13, 2024
Rest in peace Tom.
Babu Cheriyath
August 12, 2024
May God bless your family in this time of sorrow.
Richard Pesapane
August 11, 2024
So sorry about Tom’s passing. We had a lot of conversation about his love of sailing. Truly missed.
Susan McGuire
August 11, 2024
I am so sorry to hear about Tom's passing. I have good memories of sailing with him at TYC, and then, of course with Pat and Tom. Tom was such a kind person. Much love to Pat, his children and all of his family and friends. He will be missed!
Lynn Gaul
August 11, 2024
Tom was a great coworker and was always willing to help anyone. My heart goes out to his family. Keep him close in your heart. RIP Tom.
John McGuire
August 10, 2024
Oh wow, I am so sorry to hear this. My sincere condolences to Tom's wife, children and family.
I grew up with Tom and his family in Ridgewood and then knew him at the yacht club later in life. He was always fun and I know he took good care of his family.
He will surely be missed by all who knew him. May he rest in peace.
Joseph Scott
August 10, 2024
You were a great man, mentor and friend. The world had lost an amazing person.
Jack and Sandy Grady
August 10, 2024
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Matthew Barrett
August 10, 2024
My sincere condolences to Patty and their children, and to Tom’s sister Sharon, and their entire family.
Melissa Root
August 7, 2024
Any day you ran into Tom at the Thames Yacht Club was a great day! His wry sense of humor and gentle kindness made all interactions with him enjoyable. He was that rare combination of fantastic sailor embedded in an affable spirit. To race against him in the Force 5s was both fun and inspiring and to see him behind you in a race was nothing short of a miracle! I have such fun memories of him happily sauntering up the dock at TYC after all-day races, ready to share a laugh and drink with whomever was near. Other memories of him raking the beach with Tommy come to mind - always willing to lend a hand and guide his children in the process. We are all better for having known Tom. He is a gentleman who will truly be missed.
Lynn and Richard Webber
August 6, 2024
Tommy was always willing to help,with a smile on his face. He will be missed.
Tamsin Maynard
August 6, 2024
This is such a hard time for the family. I wish I had words that would comfort you, I don´t. I feel blessed that I had Thomas as a cousin. He was a bright light, just like my brother Thornton. The candle burns very bright, but it burned from both ends. The family is in my thoughts, my heart breaks for you all.
Kurt Hesch
August 6, 2024
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Welsh family and friends. Tom was great to work with at EB and he would always smile when we could chat about his family. A nice man - always - no matter the situation at work.
Nancy Burdick
August 6, 2024
So sorry to read of Tom`s passing, My heart felt sympathy to the entire Welsh family. May he now rest in peace.
Mitch Palmer
August 6, 2024
My sincere condolences to the Welsh family.
Tom was a First Class Friend, Colleague, and Sailing Mentor.
He will be sorely missed....
Karen (Yanchinsky) Harrington
August 6, 2024
Dear Sharon & family,
My heart aches for you as you navigate through the pain of losing your brother Tom. His memory will forever live on in the stories, laughter, and love you shared. Please know that my thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Kathy & Errol Silvestri
August 6, 2024
It's with a heavy heart we read of Tom's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Welsh Family.
Ed Kohl
August 6, 2024
To the Welsh Family, I'm so sorry for your loss, Tom was a great supervisor and friend, we had so many laughs together. I know he loved being on the water and I'm sure he is sailing up in heaven. Rest in Peace my Friend.
Howard Jenkins
August 5, 2024
Tom you will be missed. You were a great friend and co-worker. Prayers are with the family of Tom. Howard Jenkins
Cindy Weiss
August 5, 2024
Gale and family, My deepest sympathy on the passing of Thomas. I will always remember him as your sweet energetic little brother in Ridgewood. May he rest in peace and may all of you be comforted by your precious memories of Thomas.
Tiffany Brosch
August 5, 2024
Many good memories, so very sorry to all ❣
David Knecht
August 5, 2024
I was sad to learn about Tom's passing, but relieved that the ordeal of the last few years is over. It was so hard to watch such an active and vibrant person be gradually brought down by that disease. Thinking of him over the last few years made me appreciate my life and health and a reminder of how fast it can all go away. My fondest memories of Tom involve sailing (of course). He really got me interested in more serious racing when he invited me to join him to double-hand Blackbird in the Mudnite Madness overnight race. I had no idea what a race like that entailed. We ran out of wind trying to round Block Island in the dark, but it was fun and challenging and convinced me that I wanted more. The next year, we did Mudnite Madness on my boat with a group of Force 5 sailors as crew. I have a vivid memory of sitting at the wheel trying to control the boat on a screaming broad reach to Block Island and Tom standing tall on the coachroof flying the spinnaker as we roared through the fleet from last place to first. I wish I had a photo to share, but the memory is etched in my mind. That is the fastest my boat has ever gone and the most fun I have ever had sailing because of the excitement and camaraderie. I would never have thought of participating in a race like that had it not been for Tom's encouragement. We repeated the experience at the next year's Mudnite race and Tom was already physically diminished but still managed to act as crew chief and fly the spinnaker. Tom was my friend, sailing mentor and guru and I miss him terribly. Dave
Ed Gardner
August 4, 2024
I was Tom's OJT Instructor when he hired in to Electric Boat. He was the smartest kid in the class. I ended up working for him years later. Anybody that can build a sailboat from scratch and then circumnavigate the planet in it is a world class Shipfitter/Boatwright. I'm glad to have known him.
Liz (Barrett) and John Bracchitta
August 4, 2024
Tom was a great husband and father. He will be forever remembered.
Jean Cullen
August 4, 2024
Even though he left this earth too soon, he filled his days with many great adventures. We were glad to have shared some of those adventures. Our love to you and the family.
Jeanie and Bob Cullen
Mark Ciliano
August 4, 2024
To the Welsh family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. RIP Tom!
Dorothy H Satti
August 4, 2024
Your bright smile ,warm heart , and kind soul that lit up a room ..
I was lucky enough to cross paths at St. Bernard´s High School .. home room .. the waves of life take us many places .. weaved throughout the years a few moments catching up ... your warm imprint forever lasting .. Tom rest easy my friend
Your life well lived .. your earthly job complete
Prayers to your Family gone to soon
Peter McDevitt
August 3, 2024
I'm Sorry , I Did not have the Honor to know Mr. Thomas Welsh. I do however, know , members of his Family. They are the Kindest, Most Loving People. I Cherish my life long friendship. I Truly Believe , that Souls Live for Eternity..... They live in our daily thoughts , in our prayers, and forever, in our hearts.
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