Jesse A. Welch, 79, of Chamberlain and Hancock, N.H., died in Maine on Jan. 26.
Born in Medford, Ore., May 9, 1928, Jesse grew up in Grants Pass, Ore. where he worked on his parents’ farm raising hunting dogs with his father. He was an avid tennis and football player.
He attended Southern Oregon University before joining the U.S. Navy. He served in Japan and the Philippines during the Korean War, was honorably discharged in 1952, and came east to study forestry at the University of Maine at Orono.
He met his future wife in the Chamberlain Post Office during the summer of 1956, married in August 1957, and this past summer celebrated their 50th anniversary in Chamberlain with family.
After graduating from the University of Maine in 1957, Jesse began his career as a forester in Wisconsin. He eventually moved back east to New Hampshire where he spent the remainder of his career (1964-1990) as a science teacher in Sunapee, N.H. and Peterborough, N.H.
He was a life member of the Masonic Lodge and was Past Master of Elkins Lodge, New London, N.H.
Jesse settled with his wife in Chamberlain after his retirement from public education where he became a member of the Bristol Fire and Rescue Department from 1991-2005. He served in many capacities at the Long Cove Point Association in Chamberlain, he continued his passion for tennis at both Long Cove Club and at the YMCA in Damariscotta, and was a communicant at Water of Life Lutheran Church, Newcastle.
His gentle presence and love, great strength, and wonderful smile will be deeply missed and treasured by his wife, Doris (Diehl) Welch; son and daughter-in-law, Allen and Mary Welch of Hancock, N.H.; daughter and son-in-law, Deidra and Michael Turmelle of Concord, N.H.; granddaughters, Jennifer, Stefanie and Molly Welch, all of Hancock, N.H.; sister, Helen Hanscam of Harbor, Ore.; several nieces and nephews; and many other family members and friends.
Memorial service 2 p.m., Thurs., Jan. 31 at the United Methodist Church, New Harbor with a reception immediately following the service.
A private commitment service will be held at Ocean Hill Cemetery, Chamberlain during the coming summer.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bristol Fire and Rescue, 104 Southside Rd., New Harbor, ME 04554.
Arrangements are entrusted to Strong Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
