Bert Augustus Welch Jr died on the evening of March 31, 2011 due to complications of pneumonia.

He was born on February 3, 1927 on the family farm south of Walton near the intersection of route 10 and Bob's Brook. He was the son of Bert A. Welch, Sr and Mildred (Budine) Welch. He married Thelma Marie Lewis in 1950 and she predeceased him in 2006. He resided in Walton his entire life except for his military service. He was drafted into the Army during his senior year of high school and served in Italy at the completion of WWII. He worked as a U.S. letter carrier and also worked evenings and weekends at the National Guard Armory.

He is survived by Rod Welch, a son of Madison, Wisconsin. His son Duane H. Welch, passed way in 2009. His sister Frances Jean (Welch) Rice resides in Walton. Four grandchildren survive, Zoe Welch, Andrew Welch, Amanda Welch and Stacey Welch.

Bert will be remembered for his easy-going, talkative and friendly nature. After his retirement he often spent many mornings at different restaurants chatting over coffee with his many friends and relatives. Bert enjoyed hunting, wood working projects, auctions and TV westerns. He particularly liked playing pinocle whenever the chance presented itself. Needlessly losing a trick in pinocle was simply not part of his game.

Bert was a proud U.S. Army veteran and he served in various officer roles with the local veteran's organizations. In earlier years, he enjoyed his weekday night turn as a bartender at Vet's Club.

His family and friends will miss his generosity and the willingness to provide aid when needed but not necessarily sought.

Calling hours with the family will be from 5 to 7 PM on April 7th at the Courtney Funeral Home, 25 Townsend St., Walton. Funeral services will be at 11 AM on April 8th at the funeral home and internment will occur thereafter at the Walton Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Bert's memory may be made to either the First United Methodist Bell Tower Restoration Fund, 101 North St., Walton, NY 13856 or Walton EMS, 61 West St., Walton, NY 13856.