Joseph John Welch

Rev. Joseph John Welch, C.S.S. of Waltham died Friday April 16, 2004 in Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge. He was 91.

Born in Arlington, Fr. Welch was a son of the late Thomas and Anne (Golden). Fr. Welch entered the Stigmatine Community on September 15, 1927 in Waltham. He professed his first vows on September 8, 1932 and his perpetual vows on September 9, 1935. He was ordained to the Holy Priesthood on July 18, 1937 in Rome, Italy.

Father Welch attented St. Agnes School in Arlington, St. Mary High School in Waltham, The Stigmatine Seminary, Waltham and the University of St. Thomas Aquinas, Rome Italy where he received a license degree (S.T.L.) in Sacred Theology. He taught philosophy and theology at The Stigmatine Major Seminary in Wellesley and Waltham and the Oriental Seminary in Methuen.

Father Welch also served in the following parishes, Mt. Carmel in Springfield, Holy Family, Lynn, Our Lady of the Angels, Woodbridge, VA. He also did prison ministry in Los Altos, CA; Woodbridge, VA; and Shirley Mass. At the time of his death he was retired at Saint Joseph, Hall in Waltham. He lived a long life and was noted to be a fine professor. He had extensive knowledge of saint Thomas Aquinas writings and maintained an avid interest in philosophical and theological study all through his life.

Fr. Welch was the brother of the late Anne, Eileen, and Richard welch.

The Funeral Mass will be Friday April 23, 2004 at 10 a.m. at the Espousal Center Chapel, 554 Lexington Street, Waltham, Ma 02452. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Milford.

Visiting hours Thursday 2-4 p.m. in the chapel.

Memorial donation’s may be made to the Stigmatine Fathers Provincial Office 554 Lexington Street, Waltham Ma 02452.