Mr James J. Welch

James J. Welch, known warmly as "Jim" to his friends, died suddenly on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at Rhode Island Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Anne (Kane) Welch, of Bristol, and by their children, James J. (Jim)Welch Jr. of Tiverton, Kathleen Treglia (Robert) of Acushnet, MA, Mary McNeil (Paul) of Oakham, MA, Anne Marie Damato (Dan) of Middleboro, MA and Michael Welch (Donna) of Westerly. Jim adored his grandchildren; Teresa Transue, (Joey) of Westerly, Ashley St.Onge, (Ryan Moriarty) of Plymouth, NH, Steven Treglia (Jessica) of Southwick, MA , Anne Rose Treglia (Jevon Larson) of Woonsocket, SD, and Kylie, Megan, and Kaitlyn Damato of Middleboro, MA. In his retirement, his great grandchildren came and he was blessed with the addition of Jamyson and Jianna Transue, and cherished time with Rynn and Merrick. An animal lover all his life, Jims lavish attention and love of grand dog Griffin, grand cats Zeus and Athena, and great grand dogs Scout, Brody and Roxy will surely be missed. James John was born in Cambridge, MA to his parents, Joseph J. and Loretta (Murphy) Welch. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, his elder brother Joseph J. Welch Jr., and brother in law, John Doyle. He is survived by his beloved sister, Mary Welch Doyle of FL and his brother, John J. (Nancy Rogers) Welch of Wayland, MA, and his nieces, nephews and cousins Jim will be remembered as a warm hearted and good humored husband, father, grandfather, Popop, big brother, neighbor, and friend to all. He was known to always have a warm, ready, smile, was quick with his wit, and somehow seemed to have a new joke ready to share. An avid gardener, he generously gifted his rhubarb, blueberries, cucumbers, tomatoes and eggplants with just about everyone he met, and he was renowned for his butternut squash. He was a sports lover who followed all the New England teams, almost as much as his grandchildrens soccer and baseball games, and he loved to golf with his friends, league, children and grandchildren. Family was Jims everything on this earth, but it was his faith in God that served as his compass and guide. He provided good counsel when the occasion required. Before marrying in 1961, Jim spent time in Jr. Seminary. He continued to serve the altar at mass, coached CYO basketball, and in recent years he has been a faithful Trustee of Saint Marys Church in Bristol, RI. He had devotion to service as a Lay Minister of the Eucharist for the sick for 29 years. A tireless advocate for marriage and family, he was also, for 35 years, a board member of World Life Marriage Encounter, an institution that has supported his life and love in friendship. His accomplishments are many; his 57 years of marriage to his beloved wife, Anne, being his most treasured. By her side, he completed, through night school, working full time, and caring for their 5 children, a BA from Roger Williams and an MBA from Bryant. Education was important to him, and he took great pride that each of his five children completed an advanced degree. He taught and trained for many years; first as a manager of manufacturing engineering during his 25 years at Raytheon, he trained workers in the creation of high end and military electronics, and once he completed his degrees, he taught college level business courses, as a part time and adjunct professor, at both Johnson and Wales and Roger Williams, a career he loved. His work with the Rhode Island Manufacturers Extension Service (RIMES) was some of his most rewarding. While there, he worked tirelessly to bring the manufacturers in his beloved state up to proper ISO standards. He also taught Lean Manufacturing as a vehicle to improve the state of RIs industrial economic wellbeing. His love for this was so great that he continued to consult, and to train in ISO standards, and Lean, even after retirement. Funeral services from the Sansone Funeral Home, 192 Wood Street, Bristol, Friday, July 20, 2018 at 10:00 AM with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM in St. Marys Church, 330 Wood Street, Bristol. Burial will be private. Visiting hours Thursday, July 19, 2018 from 4:00-7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Marys Church, 330 Wood Street, Bristol, RI 02809. For online condolences, shared memories, information and directions go to www.sansonefuneralhome.com Services Visitation Thursday July 19, 2018 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Sansone Funeral Home 192 Wood Street Bristol, RI 02809 Funeral services from Friday July 20, 2018 10:00 AM Sansone Funeral Home 192 Wood Street Bristol, RI 02809 with a Mass of Christian Burial Friday July 20, 2018 11:00 AM St. Mary's Church 330 Wood St. Bristol, RI