Ralph “Budd” Welsh, Jr.

Ralph “Budd” Welsh, Jr., age 100, died peacefully on January 23, 2022 at Equinox Terrace in Manchester, VT. Born November 1, 1921 to Ralph Sr. and Leonora Welsh in West Haven, CT, Budd, as he preferred to be known, was raised in Summit, NJ. He graduated from Summit High School in 1939 and attended The New Hampton School prior to becoming a proud legacy student at Dartmouth College. During his college years, he spent summers at Forest Lake Camp in Warrensburg, NY, and enjoyed the family cottage on Budd Lake in NJ. A proud and active member of the Dartmouth Class of 1944, Budd attended and was honored at his 70th Reunion in 2014. His college years were interrupted by three years of service with the 100th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army where he actively served with an intelligence unit responsible for tracking enemy troop movement along the French and German border. Following his honorable discharge, Budd returned to Dartmouth and completed his B.A. in 1946. After graduation, Budd returned to NJ and worked in accounting at Ciba Pharmaceutical. It was during his time at Ciba that he was introduced to Carol Bockoven whom he married in 1947. She was the love of his life and they enjoyed sixty-five years together until her passing in 2012. Together they raised three children, Bruce, Scott, and Debra in the country community of Mendham, NJ where he established his own insurance agency, The Mendham Agency. However, his time at Dartmouth had planted a “live in New England” seed and the desire to return was strong. In 1976 with Carol and son Scott, the family moved to Manchester, VT, and purchased the Montclair Motel which they promptly renamed the Aspen Motel. Budd and Carol retired from the motel business in the late ’90s to enjoy years of retirement in Manchester with their children, grandchildren, and friends. They also enjoyed spring trips to Myrtle Beach, SC, their beloved honeymoon destination. Budd was a consummate gentleman, personal and gregarious, who actively dedicated years of volunteer accounting and coaching services to the Rotary Club, Mendham Pastime Club, and Mendham Little League. He also served as treasurer for both the Mendham Hilltop Presbyterian Church and the First Congregational Church of Manchester. Budd recently celebrated his 100th birthday with his entire immediate family. He is survived by his sister Marilyn Andrews of Waldoboro, ME; children, Bruce of Clarendon, VT, Scott (Lynne) of Manchester, VT, and Dr. Debra Welsh of South Burlington; grandchildren and their spouses Alison & Joe Jankowski, Tim & Kelsey Welsh, Emily & Joe Kohler, and Kelsey & Tyler DePriest; and great-grandchildren Madeline & James Jankowski, and Leo Welsh. Everyone will miss Pop-Pop and Great Pop-Pop very much. He was predeceased by his wife, Carol Bockoven in 2012, sister Betty Jean Grant in 2017, and daughter-in-law, Carol Porter Welsh in 2011. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in his name to Macular Degeneration Research at PO Box 1952, Clarksburg, MD 20871-1952 or Maine Children’s Cancer Program at Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center 22 Bramhall Street, Portland, ME 04102 with MCCP in the memo line.