Newbury, VT Roy Arnold Welch, Sr., 64, of Old Schoolhouse Road, passed away on Sunday, January 8, 2012, at his home, surrounded by his family following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Newbury, VT, March 30, 1947, the youngest of six children of George J. and Violet (Minshull) Welch, Sr. Roy grew up on the family farm on Jefferson Hill and was very hardworking, active, musical and enjoyed the fun filled times. Roy attended the Newbury Graded School and graduated from Newbury High School following which he joined the Army National Guard until his honorable discharge. He married Carole Bailey on November 25, 1967. Roy and Carole had three children and eight grandchildren. Over the years, Roy worked in various places; New England Tree Service, Beckley Transportation, farming, welding for Pike Industries, and trucking for Bean s Mobile Homes. Roy was a member of the South Ryegate Presbyterian Church and the Ross Wood Post #20 American Legion in Woodsville, NH. He was very proud of his membership with the Pulaski Lodge #58 F + AM of Wells River and Mt. Sinai Shrine Temple #3 in Montpelier, VT. He served as the 2003 Potentate of Mt. Sinai in Vermont. He was also on the Board of Directors for the Springfield Shriners Crippled Children Center. Roy could be spotted cruising town in his red 1966 Ford Pickup. One of his passions was making trails in the woods with his tractor. He was very proud of his lawn and mowed walking paths. Roy followed his favorite teams; the Boston Red Sox and Celtics. In recent years he attended a Boston Celtics game, which was a memorable time. He was known for his penmanship and organizational skills. He was very proud VT native and also of living his entire life on Jefferson Hill. Roy was very proud of his family and treasured the time spent with them during celebrations and family gatherings. He was predeceased by two sisters, Katherine Haskell on June 7, 1996 and Shirley Maxwell on July 14, 2006; and a brother, Carlos Welch on November 25, 2011. Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Carole (Bailey) Welch of Newbury; two daughters, Teresa Thibault and husband Andy of Wells River, VT and Shelly Drew and husband Don of Newbury; a son, Roy Welch, Jr. of Newbury; eight grandchildren, Jesse, Kayla, Dakotah, Crystal, Rachel, Nate, Connor, and Alayna; two brothers, George Welch of Claremont, NH and Gene Welch of Topsham, VT; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Calling hours will be on Friday January 13, from 6 to 8 PM at the Ricker Funeral Home, 1 Birch Street, Woodsville, NH, with a Masonic service at 7:45. A funeral service will be on Saturday, January 14, at 11 AM at the South Ryegate Presbyterian Church in South Ryegate, VT. Burial will be at a later date in the Jefferson Hill Cemetery, Newbury, VT. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pulaski Lodge #58 F+AM, PO Box 483, Wells River, VT 05081.