John Cullen Welsh Jr.

1931 - 2023

Welsh, John Cullen Jr.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - John Cullen "Jack" Welsh Jr., born on May 28, 1931, passed peacefully to his eternal rest on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at the age of 91.
The only child of John Cullen Welsh and Helen Woodvine, Jack was born and raised in Catskill where his father, a 1915 graduate of Albany Law School, practiced law and served two terms as the District Attorney of Greene County. Jack graduated as valedictorian from St. Patrick's High School in 1948 and from the University of Notre Dame with distinction in 1952. He then enrolled at Albany Law School and again graduated with distinction in 1955.
After law school, Jack commenced his scheduled two-year military service obligation with the United States Navy on November 10, 1955. During this time of peace, he was a helicopter squadron supply manager and was responsible for organizing and maintaining the helicopter parts and repair shop. Jack was discharged honorably from the Navy in August 1957 in advance of his father's death from cancer which occurred on February 24, 1958. Later that year, on December 27, 1958, in St. Mary's Church in Cementon, N.Y., Jack married the love of his life, Josephine "Jo" Daley. Jack and Jo first met as students at St. Patrick's High School where Jo was also valedictorian of her class three years after Jack, and later when Jo was a nurse who cared for Jack's father at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Albany prior to his death.
Jack joined the faculty of Albany Law School in August 1959 after some encouragement from his mentor, Professor Edward S. Godfrey, and he served the Law School in various academic, executive and administrative positions for the next 44 years until his retirement in June 2003. During his time at the Law School, Jack was most known for the challenging academic rigor, prodigious memory, precise speech and dry understated wit he brought to teaching his property, trust and estates, and estate planning classes. He also served the Law School as acting dean on three separate occasions (1975, 1977-1979 and 1993-1995), assistant dean for 11 years (1964-1975), chair of the Admissions Committee for 41 years (1962-2003), as well as chair of the Faculty Recruitment Committee, chair of the Tenured Faculty Committee, and registrar. He also was the editor of the Trusts and Estates Law Section Newsletter of the New York State Bar Association from 1978-2003 and served on the Accreditation Committee of the Law School Admission Council.
In 2002, after Jack announced that he would be retiring at the conclusion of the upcoming academic year, the Law School named him its President William McKinley Distinguished Professor of Law. As a long-time colleague noted at that time, "Professor John C. Welsh: teacher, advisor, institutional historian, lawyer, author, leader, advocate, colleague, role model, and friend. He is generous with his wisdom when it is sought, ever gracious and fair in his dealings with others, and always able to strike the right balance between solemnity and humor. He expects no more of others than he demands of himself. The many qualities he possesses in abundance - wisdom, grace, dignity, honor, loyalty - have commanded the respect of one and all. In always behaving toward others as he would want them to behave toward him, Professor Welsh has set a standard to which others aspire. He is admired, emulated, respected, and loved."
After his retirement, Jack and Jo relocated from Catskill to Valparaiso, Ind. to be closer to their children and grandchildren. In retirement, Jack and Jo enjoyed traveling the world, sharing delicious meals and exploring local arts and culture. They moved to Holy Cross Village in South Bend, Ind. in September 2014. During his time at Holy Cross Village, Jack was encouraged to use his teaching skills to lead resident discussion groups regarding world affairs and historical events.
Jack wished to express his gratitude and appreciation to the dedicated caregivers at Memorial Hospital of South Bend and Holy Cross Village.
He was preceded in death by his father, Jack; his mother, Helen; and his loving wife Jo, to whom he was married for more than 62 years. He is survived by his daughter, Kathleen Shipp of Lake Forest, Ill. (husband Terry), and their children, Harry (wife Maria), Michael (wife Kathryn), Abby and Sammy; his son, John J. Welsh of Beverly Hills, Calif. (wife Susan), and their children, Isabella and John; his daughter, Claire Welsh, of Pueblo, Colo.; and his son, Jim Welsh of Mishawaka, Ind. (wife Joann), and their daughters, Kelly and Megan.
A memorial service will be planned at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either the William M. Watkins Scholarship Fund or John P. DeMatteo Scholarship Fund at the Office of Institutional Advancement, Albany Law School, 80 New Scotland Ave., Albany, NY, 12208-3494.