Posted on 01/09/2018
Gerald Henry Welsh (February 25, 1935 - January 2, 2018)
On Tuesday, January 2, 2018, Gerald Henry Welsh, LCDR USN Retired of Haymarket, VA passed away peacefully in his sleep at home.
Gerald (known as Jerry by family and friends) was born in Youngstown, Ohio on February 25, 1935. He was the first child, of the late Gerald V. and Catherine Hilberer Welsh. He married Barbara (Bonnie) R. Barnes Welsh, on November 23, 1968.
He is survived by Bonnie and his children, Stephen V. Welsh of Woodbridge, VA; David M. Welsh of Dumfries, VA; Cynthia L. Foglio of Haymarket, VA; and Melanie A. Edmunds of Chantilly, VA along with nine grandchildren; brother Peter M. Welsh of Dublin, OH; brother-in-law Jack Fournier, USCG Retired of Aliquippa, PA and a nephew and two nieces in Houston, TX. He is preceded in death by sisters Mary Janice (Jan) Fournier of Aliquippa, PA and Patricia (Patty) Marie Hunter of the Woodlands, TX.
Jerry attended St Dominic’s Elementary School and graduated from Ursuline High School in 1952 both located in Youngstown, OH. He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy and graduated with the Class of 1959. He obtained his postgraduate degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Kansas. Jerry honorably served his country for 20 years as a Naval Supply Officer with unique tours in Antarctica and Bahrain. After retiring from the Navy, Jerry and his family settled in Fairfax Station, VA and he began his second career in the defense consulting and contracting industry until he retired in 2012. Post retirement, Jerry and Bonnie moved to the Regency at Dominion Valley in Haymarket, VA where they enjoy a very active social life and traveling the world with friends. He served on the Financial Planning Committee at the Regency Country Club and volunteered his time working in accounting at Serve Our Willing Warriors (SOWW). He also enjoyed reading with first graders at Gravely Elementary School. Jerry was an avid Naval Academy Football fan and spent many Saturdays in Annapolis tailgating with is fellow classmates.
He was extremely proud of his children and loved to see them grow professionally, as husbands and wives, and most importantly as fathers and mothers. Jerry was a devout Catholic attending Mass and participating in various devotional activities.
A visitation will be held from 2:00-4:00 PM and 6:00-8:00 PM on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at the Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home, 9902 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA 22032. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Friday, January 12, 2018, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 8213 Linton Hall Road, Gainesville, VA 20155. Following the funeral mass, friends are invited to continue to celebrate Jerry’s life at his home. An inurnment ceremony will be held at the United States Naval Academy Columbarium at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Jerry Welsh to the Serve Our Willing Warriors (SOWW) at https://willingwarriors.org/ or 5501 Merchant View Square #263, Haymarket, VA 20169.
Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home
9902 Braddock Road
Fairfax, Virginia 22032
703-425-9702
info@fmfh.com
http://www.fairfaxmemorialfuneralhome.com/obituary/Gerald-Henry-Welsh/Haymarket-Virginia/1773494