John J. Welch of Merrimack, NH passed away on October 4, 2024 surrounded by his family at his side in his home. He was born in Manchester, NH on June 9, 1944. He was the son of the late Iris Papajohn Beaulieu. He was the beloved husband of Constance L. Welch that passed away on February 6, 2021. He is the father of his daughter Karen Butterfield and her husband Daniel of Merrimack, NH, his son Kevin Welch and his fiancé Stacey Ellis of Merrimack, NH, grandfather to Kailee Belanger and her husband Kurtis, Katelyn Goodale, Jessica Butterfield and her fiancé Roch, Timothy Butterfield, Kevin Welch Jr. and his wife Destiny, David Butterfield, Kodi Welch and his wife Gizzelle, and Kyla Welch, his step grandchildren Kai and Lauren, and great-grandfather to nine great grandchildren. In addition, John is survived by his two sisters Lea Francoeur and Joy St. Pierre of Manchester, NH, his niece and nephews, and two dear cousins William "Billy" Papajohn and Evan Papajohn of Manchester, NH.

John grew up on the east side of Manchester, NH and attended Central High school. While attending school, he worked his first job at the Manchester Shoe Shop where he met his wife Connie of 56 years. John graduated Central High school in 1963 and entered the USAF that same year. He was stationed at Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka, Kansas. On his first leave, he married his wife Connie on April 11, 1964. During his time in Topeka, Kansas, John served as an A-1C in the Vietnam War. Among his duties, John was in charge of the Mess hall and shipping food to the soldiers fighting in Vietnam. He served from 1963 until 1967 when he was honorably discharged. He was very proud of being a veteran.

After the service, John and his growing family moved back to their hometown to be reunited with their families. In 1967, John started his career as a pressman at Cummings Printing Company. While working as a pressman, John and his wife decided to move to their home in Merrimack, NH to raise their children. They resided in this home for the rest of their lives. He worked as a pressman for over thirty years before retiring in 1997.

After John's retirement, he took many trips with his wife to visit places they've always dreamed of as well as visiting family in California. In 2007, John decided to come out of retirement to work for the STA as a bus driver for the Merrimack School District. He considered the people he worked with as his second family. He loved the children and feeding their dogs treats each day. He worked until 2024 when he had to officially retire.

John's passions were fishing and hunting when he was young along with fixing his motorcycles and cars as he got older. He loved watching all of the New England sport teams as well as listening to his favorite 60s and 70s music. John's favorite meals were his sister Lea's Greek soup, spaghetti, and his summertime seafood. His main love was for all of his family and friends he made over the course of his life. He loved to share amazing stories that always made people laugh. He will be greatly missed.

John's son and daughter would like to personally thank all the people who supported him all throughout his life. A special thank you to Home Health and Hospice for all the loving care you gave John when he needed it the most.

Services for John and Connie will be held at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH on Wednesday, October 16th, 2024. Please arrive between 9:30 am and 9:45 am as services will start promptly at 10 am.