Ralph Harold “Skip” Welch Jr. passed away peacefully at Togus Springs Hospice, a Togus Veterans Medical Center facility, on Dec. 23, 2023, with his family by his side.

Born Sept. 20, 1942, Ralph “Skip” was born to Ralph Sr. and Florence (Lindahl) Welch. After living in Millis, Massachusetts for a few years with his mother’s loving family, and then a short time in California and Florida, Ralph moved to Boothbay Harbor in 1949. It was the Boothbay region he always considered his home.

After graduating in BRHS in 1960, Skip enlisted in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged after a six-year obligation. He attended Boot Camp at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas. He then attended Jet Engine Mechanics School at Chanute AFB, Illinois. After completing school, he was then transferred to the 4043^rd SAC Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, working on B-52s and KC-135s. He was very proud of his military service and it was that dedication and knowledge that helped in throughout his life in jobs and hobbies.

Skip met his wife, Doris Stanley from Lubec, Maine the summer of 1966. She had come to the Harbor to work as a nanny/waitress. The two were married Nov. 25, 1966. While continuing her plans to attend business school, and graduating in 1967, the two had four children. He was very proud of all his children, and especially proud of his career military son, who served in the USMC for 20 years, during difficult times, specifically overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan.

After his discharge, Skip returned to Boothbay Harbor where he worked a variety of jobs over the years, including Pierce & Hartung, driving lumber trucks, Lewis’ Gulf Station, Watts’ Esso Station, delivering oil, Grover’s Hardware, St. Andrews Hospital as a purchasing agent, and then returned back to Grover’s until his retirement from full-time work. Always providing for his family, Skip held many part-time jobs, supplementing the family income. He attended the Criminal Justice Academy in Thomaston, and worked for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office as a jailer and transport officer. He would go to work after his day job, transporting prisoners to various facilities in the night, as far as Houlton. Skip enjoyed the comradery of his fellow colleagues very much.

Never an idle man, Skip served three terms on the Boothbay Harbor Planning Board. He later became a member of the Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Cemetery District, where he served for several years. He always loved his community and the people in it. He believed in keeping the Boothbay region the beautiful place it is for others to come and enjoy. Skip was a 50+ year member of Seaside Masonic Lodge and an honorary member of the Bayview Masonic Lodge. In addition, Skip was a member of the Charles E. Sherman Jr. Post #36 and served as a Post Commander in the 1970s. He served on the Boothbay Fire Dept. for two years and then the Boothbay Harbor Fire Dept. for 21 years. He always enjoyed talking about his community.

Despite the many medical challenges Skip endured, he enjoyed life to his fullest. He loved people and would engage in conversation, even with complete strangers, at any opportunity. He always said, “…that’s how you get to know people.” He had an outstanding memory for people and places of the community, and he always had a smile on his face regardless of how he was truly feeling.

Skip’s hobbies included woodworking, putting models together, and traveling “up north” with his buddies or the kids, to camp and fish and enjoy the “great outdoors.”

Skip was predeceased by his father, who he lost at the tender age of 5, and then his mother who he lost at the age of 20, while he was in the military. He was genuinely loved and welcomed into Doris’ family. He felt like he was more of a son, than a son-in-law. He was especially close to his mother-in-law whom he adored until her death. He loved taking her on vacation with them in later years after his father-in-law’s passing.

He leaves behind his wife, Doris, of 57 years; their four children and their spouses, Stacy Dickinson, and her husband Gary, of Boothbay, Katie Wales, and her husband Jim, of Sanford, Chad Welch and his wife, Sandra, of Swansboro, North Carolina, Wendy Aldrich, and her husband Todd, of Lyman, New Hampshire, and a daughter Teresa Orne Bryer of Boothbay. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Alex and Aaron Dickinson, Todd and Paige Wales, Grace and Finley Aldrich, Kyle Welch, Stephanie and Megan Bryer; three great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Gary and his wife Almeda, and their families, as well as several cousins.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Togus Springs, where he received excellent care in his final days.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Skip’s memory to a charity of your choice.

A service will be announced in the spring.

To share a memory or condolence with Skip’s family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are by Hall Funeral Home, Boothbay.