Thomas E Welsh Jr, 77, of Jensen Beach Florida, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2023 after a nine year battle with dementia. He is survived by his loving wife, Melanie of 47 years and his wonderful children Tommy (Christina) Welsh, Amber (Jason) Bright, and Jonathan Welsh. Tom is also the proud grandfather to Mayble, Dawson, Ella and Wyatt Bright.

Tom was born in Belle Vernon Pennsylvania on November 22, 1945 to Thomas Sr and Virginia Welsh. He is survived by two sisters and one brother – Becky(Richard) Logan, Georgia Welsh and Virgil Welsh all of Pennsylvania. After Tom graduated from high school he enlisted in the US Coast Guard in 1964. He was trained as a Dental Technician in San Diego California. He was later transferred to Curtis Bay in Baltimore Maryland. While serving at Curtis Bay, Tom was honored to be selected as part of the USCG Ceremonial Honor Guard for Washington DC and Arlington Virginia. He participated in numerous ceremonies such as the 1965 Inaugural Parade, state funerals, and dignitaries 1968 and he transferred to the Coast Guard Reserves for two more years. Tom had a very diverse career path over the years and mostly centered around
the sales and service fields. He never met a stranger. He could strike up a conversation with anyone even if he didn't know anything about them. He definitely had the "gift of gab" which is why he was so successful in the sales and service field. After he met and married his wife Melanie in Baltimore Maryland in 1976, they built their home and settled in Delta Pennsylvania for the next 13 years. During that time Tom worked for Caterpillar Tractor in York Pennsylvania and then Peach Bottom Power Plant near our home. Tom later started a business building modular homes in the Peach Bottom Township area. The family relocated to Jensen Beach Florida in 1991 to leave winters behind and enjoy a sunnier warmer climate. The career choice he enjoyed the most and ultimately retired from in 2010 was as the regional sales and service representative for Kauff's Towing Company.

Tom always had a passion for working on and restoring cars from a very early age. He also enjoyed participating in car drag racing at the track in Delaware and he had trophies for his efforts. One of the biggest highlights Tom ever enjoyed was for his 60th birthday. He had the opportunity to race at the Daytona Beach Speedway thru the Richard Petty driving experience. His smile went ear-to-ear as he drove 18 laps that day.
He could tell the best stories and carry on debates with anyone. We all will definitely miss that "gift of gab" that he had. Tom will be forever in our hearts. A Celebration of Life will be held in the near future in Florida for family and friends. Details will be sent out shortly. We will also be holding celebrations for Tom in Pennsylvania for his family there and another stop in Maryland (dates to be determined) for a life well lived.

For those who wish, contributions may be made to the National Endowment for Alzheimer's Research, 2730 Spruce Street, Suite 101, Philadelphia, PA 19104 or at 215/778-4961 or on line at www.memorymatters.org

Please feel free to share a remembrance or message of condolence with the family through this online guestbook.