Francis "Skip" Welch

Francis A. "Skip" Welch, beloved husband of Donna (Bettencourt) Welch, and resident of the Centralville section of Lowell, died on Friday August 5, 2016, surrounded by his family. He was 75.

Born in Merrimac on November 21, 1940, he was a son of the late Lester Granville Welch, Sr., and Florence Mae (Hutchins) Welch.

He attended Essex Agricultural High School where he developed his love of nature. He also enjoyed bowling at Academy Lanes in Haverhill.

Skip was employed for the past 14 years with SP & R Transportation, where he worked as a special education bus driver.

He was known for his quick wit and dry sense of humor, and enjoying a good Pepsi. Skip enjoyed playing his scratch tickets. He would visit various locations trying to pick the winner. He was an avid fisherman and was fond of the trips to the Artichoke River with his sons. Skip loved his camp in Newbury, VT and cherished the "deer runs" with his children, which consisted of jumping in the pickup truck and going to watch deer.

He had a strong love for his family and enjoyed spending time with all of them; his wife Donna-Marie and his children, Mark Welch of Amesbury, Timothy Welch, Sr., Kelley Welch both of Lowell, Matthew Welch and his fiance Alicia Waegelein of Pelham, NH, Arlene Willette of Methuen; seven grandchildren, all of whom lovingly referred to him as "Pucka"; Timothy Welch, Nicole Welch, Krystal Welch, Heather Welch, Riley Ramos, Lucas Ramos, Jonah Ramos, a great granddaughter Skyla Dextradeur; sisters Marilyn "Witch" Corradino of Haverhill, Janice "Bugsie" Regan of ME, a brother Jerry Welch and his wife Patricia of NC, a sister in law, Louise Welch of Virginia and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings Lester G. Welch and Shirley McLean.