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John "Jack" E. Welch, 71, of West Creek, N.J., and Madeira Beach, Florida, formerly of Eldred, PA., died Monday, October 22, 2007 at home with his family.
Mr. Welch was born in Olean, N.Y., a son of Gilbert & Edna Shelander Welch. He grew up in Eldred and attended Otto High School, where he was class president as well as an excellent student and athlete. He graduated from Lock Haven Pa. State College in 1957 with a bachelor's degree in health, physical education and English. During his career, he also received master's degrees in reading education and public school administration from Glassboro, N.J. State College.
After graduating from Lock Haven, he went on to work at Vineland N.J. Training School from 1957 to 1959. He then taught English at Williamstown N.J. High School from 1959 to 1965 and started a very successful wrestling program that won conference championships and had an undefeated season (11-0) in 1965. Later that year, he moved on to Moorestown N.J. High School where he taught English, physical education and health and held other positions, including chairman of the physical education department and later, assistant principal. Building on the experience in Williamstown, Mr. Welch started the wrestling program in Moorestown, which became a very highly regarded program in Southern New Jersey. He had an undefeated season in 1975 (18-0) and many league championships.
During his coaching career he accumulated 262 wins, along with numerous awards and recognition for outstanding contributions to wrestling. Highlights include his induction into the Williamstown High School Hall of Fame and the South Jersey Wrestling Hall of Fame. He also received several coach of the year awards. He coached many outstanding wrestlers, but he was most proud to be considered a friend and mentor for many high school students who flourished under his guidance.
Mr. Welch completed his career at Southern Regional N.J. High School and retired in 1993 to spend time in Madeira Beach, Florida and West Creek. Mr. Welch was very busy in retirement, visitinig family, golfing, boating, fishing, crabbing, camping, country and western dancing and playing with his grandchildren. He was always game for any adventure.
Mr. Welch's legacy as a competitor, motivator and above all, family man will continue. The establishment of the Jack Welch Duals Wrestling Tournament, held annually at Moorestown High School, ensures that his accomplishments will not be forgotten. His devotion as a father and grandfather will forever be remembered by his large and loving family.
Jack is survived by his fiancee, Carol Olson; his children, Martin (Judi) Welch, Sharon (Shawn) Cready, Sandra (Dominic) Theodossiou and Christopher (Elizabeth) Welch; 13 grandchildren; his children's mother, Barbara (Jerry) Welch; three brothers, Mike (Ann) Welch, Kenny (Carol) Welch and Rob (Freda) Welch; and two sisters, Joan (Tom) Brown and Judy (Bud) Hector.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Gilbert "Butch" Welch and Denny Welch.
Funeral arrangements are through Frame Funeral Home in Eldred. A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon, at which time funeral services will be held.
Burial will follow at Lamphier Cemetery in Eldred. Friends and family are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to be made in Mr. Welch's name to either the hospice of the Holy Redeemer or the American Cancer Society.