In Memory of

Thomas

Roach

Welch

Obituary for Thomas Roach Welch

Thomas Roach Welch, 90, of North Adams, MA died peacefully on Thursday, April 5, 2018 at his home. He was born in North Adams, MA on August 3, 1927 a son of the late Thomas Michael and Ruth Cecelia (Gagnon) Welch.
Tom attended local schools and graduated from Drury High School with the class of 1945. He went on to attend St. John’s Atonement Seminary in Garrison, NY, North Adams State College, as well as St. Michael’s College in Colchester, VT, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Classics, with Latin honors magna cum laude, and his Master of Arts and Teaching degree. Tom took additional courses in French at Williams College, and courses in Spanish at both Berkshire Community College and Greenfield Community College.
Mr. Welch began his teaching career at the former Plunkett Junior High School in Adams, MA where he was a teacher of Latin and English. He later worked at the former Adams Memorial High School, as well as Hoosac Valley High School in Cheshire, MA as a teacher of Latin, English and French. During his time at Hoosac Valley High School, Mr. Welch also served as the Coordinator of the Foreign Language Program. Mr. Welch was part of the Continuing Education Department at North Adams State College as an Assistant Professor of English. Additionally, he served as an Apprentice Embalmer and Funeral Director at Flynn & Roach Funeral Home, later Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Funeral Home, retiring from that position in 1992. He went on to serve as the assistant hearse driver until his final retirement.
He was a communicant of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church. He served as a Lector and Acolyte at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, as well as St. Anthony of Padua Parish.
Tom was a former member of the Adams Teachers Association, where he served as the Secretary, and later as President. He was also a member of the Adams-Cheshire Teachers Association, the Classical Association of New England, the Massachusetts Retired Teachers Association, the National Education Association, the Retired State, County and Municipal Employees Association, as well as the American Association of Retired Persons. Tom enjoyed etymology, playing golf, reading, and following professional baseball – especially the Red Sox.
He was the widower of Patricia Ann (Donovan) Welch, whom he married on August 20, 1955 at St. Francis of Assisi Parish. She died on February 25, 2013.
Survivors include one son Kevin Coakley-Welch and his wife, Mary Coakley-Welch, Ph.D. of Winchester, MA; as well as several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial to celebrate the life of Thomas Welch will be held on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at 11:00a.m. at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in North Adams, MA. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday morning from 9:00-10:30a.m. at the Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Homes – CENTRAL Chapel, 74 Marshall St., North Adams, MA 01247. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com