John W. Welsh

An avid hunter and fisherman, leek digger and gardener, John was a many faceted person, who later in life developed an insatiable reading habit and was a frequent visitor to the Coudersport Public Library. Through the years he was an accomplished Bowler, having bowled a 299 game at one point, which he was very proud of. He loved Golf also, and I have to say I always enjoyed a round with him, as he made my pitiful game look good.  He was a lifelong Buffalo Bills fan, into which he indoctrinated us. Go Bills!  

But to us anyways, the most important aspect of him was that he was our father. Sometimes distant, but always there when you needed him and always warm a smile.

I have written this obituary about 30 times in the last several days. I’m a writer, it's what I do. But every time I wrote it it sounded so cold and factual, devoid of all the things that my dad was. Sure, I can list all those in his family that preceded him in death and all the family members still alive and all the places he worked or lived. But really that’s not going to even touch on who he was. 

John was a simple man, born in a simple town, in a simpler time. He adapted to the changes as well as any man, and did the best with what life handed him. He found joy in flowers and stray cats and the sun on a trout stream. 

I could list all the accomplishments that my dad achieved over the years, all the plaques and pen sets, and certificates that he received for his volunteer work, which might give you a hint of his big heart and sense of responsibility to his home and community. But he was bigger than even those. 

My dad was one of the first and I believe only Triplets born in Potter County. In 1942, along with his brother James Welsh, and his sister Janice Welsh Goodwin, were welcomed into this world.

Along with Robert (Butch) Jr, Dorothy Welsh Hershy, Lois Welsh Spoor, they made up quite a clan on Dwight street in Coudersport.

He married Jacqueline Dates(Brewer), soon after high school and my brother Will  Welsh and I (Bryan) soon arrived. After they parted, My dad married Constance Watson, adding a stepson, Henry Watson and a step daughter, June Watson Wiley to his family. Connie passed away in 2013

We are planning a memorial service at Post 192 in Coudersport, possibly in July. If you would like to do something in his memory, make a donation to whatever community group you prefer. 

Because in the end, that's what dad would have done. 

John’s family entrusted his care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.

To express condolences, light a candle or share a fond memory of John, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.