Joseph D. Welch, 81, of Baldwinsville died peacefully Monday, October 31, 2005. Joseph was the son of James and Bridget Welch of Eagle Mills, NY. He was a graduate of LaSalle Institute and Renssselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY and received advanced degrees at the University of Notre Dame. Joseph was an Army veteran of WW II. He was an aeronautical engineer and retired after a 35 year career. Joe was a licensed Professional Engineer in New York State, an Associate Fellow of the Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences and a Senior Member of the American Astronautical Society. He served his parish churches as a lay minister throughout his adult life. In 1992 Joe was commissioned a Lay Minister for the Syracuse Diocese serving St. Mary's Church in Baldwinsville. He was a Catechist in the RCIA program at St. Mary's for ten years, a lector, and coordinator of the Lector Ministry at St. Mary's. He also served on the Parish Council.

Survivors: his wife of 50 years, Ellen Grady Welch and their six children; Daniel and Lynn Welch, Theresa Woodruff Matthew and Ann Marie Welch, Stephen and Maureen Welch Philip and Elizabeth Welch, Timothy Welch; nine beloved grandchildren; three sisters, Sister Alice Marie Welch, CSJ of Latham, May (Tom) Carhart, Eileen Johnson; nieces and nephews. Joe was predeceased by his brother, James P. Welch in 2002 and his son-in-law David Woodruff in 2004.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am Friday, November 4, 2005 at St. Mary's Church, Baldwinsville. Entombment in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands, NY. Calling hours are 4-7pm Thursday, November 3, 2005 at the Falardeau Funeral Home, 93 Downer St., Baldwinsville.

Contributions: in lieu of flowers to Syracuse Home Association Foundation,7740 Meigs Rd. Baldwinsville, NY 13027.