Obituary of William A. Welch, Jr.

William A. Welch, Jr. 78 years of Peabody, a retired Peabody Educator, husband of the late Helen Katie (McVann) Welch died Wednesday evening at the Brooksby Village Renaissance Gardens in Peabody. Mr. Welch was born March 24, 1927 in Peabody son of the late William A. and Margaret (Giles) Welch, Sr. He was raised and educated in Peabody graduating from Peabody High School. He then enlisted in the United States Navy and served in the Pacific Theater during WWII. After the war, Mr. Welch attended Brown University and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1951 and a Master of Education Degree from Boston University in 1953 where he was a Phi Delta Kappa National Educational Honor Society member. Mr. Welch also earned credits beyond his Master in Education at Boston University, Syracuse University, University of Maine, Salem State College and the University of Hartford. While attending college, Mr. Welch worked for 2 summers with the Peabody Fire Department. Mr. Welch’ s 32 year teaching career began at the Peabody High School in 1951, became assistant principal at the South Memorial School, principal at the Kiley Brothers Memorial School, assistant superintendent of schools and for his last 15 years was Principal at the Peabody Veterans Memorial High School retiring in 1983. Upon his retirement he was elected to the Peabody School Committee where he served for 8 years. During his retirement he enjoyed working in his Japanese garden and reading. Mr. Welch served as a Trustee and President of the Board at Essex Agricultural and Technical School for 12 years and for 5 years on the Board of Trustee at North Shore Community College. He was Past Chairman of the Peabody Heart drive and a Past member of the North Shore Heart Executive committee. He was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans Post 100, the American Legion Post 153 and the A.O.H. Division 11 all in Peabody. In 2004 Mr. Welch was elected to the Distinguished Career Hall of Fame at the Peabody Veterans Memorial High School. He is survived by a son and a daughter-in-law, William A. Welch III and Kimberly Welch of Tewksbury; 2 granddaughters, Meaghan and Madison Welch of Tewksbury; a brother-in-law, Dr. Kenneth Kaess of CT and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister Marguerite Welch Kaess. His funeral will be held Monday at 10 a.m. from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 20 Church St. location Peabody followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11a.m. in St. John the Baptist Church, Peabody. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m. Burial in St. Mary’ s Cemetery, Salem.