Howard D. Welch, formerly of Barnstead, NH, died peacefully on July 15, 2022 at Watson Fields Assisted Living in Dover, NH. Howard was born on October 1, 1934 at the Welch farm in Barnstead. He attended South Barnstead Grammar School and graduated from Austin Cate Academy in Strafford, NH in 1952. He worked on his father, Fred Welch's farm and then for the Town of Barnstead Highway Department driving trucks until he retired in 1991.

In his younger years, Howard was a volunteer in the Center Barnstead Fire Department. He was one of the founding volunteers of the Center Barnstead Ambulance crew and helped to raise money so they could buy their first vehicle, an old Cadillac hearse. He took first aid and CPR courses, so that he could respond effectively to emergency calls.

Howard was a huge Boston sports fan, following the Celtics, Patriots and Red Sox through all their ups and downs. He enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy and listening to Country Western and Rockabilly Music. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He and three other fire department men built a camp up on Millsfield Pond in Errol, NH where he enjoyed hunting, fishing and snowmobiling in the winter.

Howard was preceded in death by his father, Fred Welch, his mother, Rena Wells Welch and his brother, Raymond "Bill" Welch. He is survived by his niece, Nancy Welch Murphy, her husband Ed Murphy, three grand nephews, Aaron Murphy, Seth Murphy and Ian Hammond and three great -grand nephews and a grand niece.

A Celebration of Life will take place on September 17, 2022 at 1 PM at the Drew Residence, 270 Bow Lake Rd, Barnstead, NH. A private burial will follow in the Welch Family plot at the South Barnstead Congregational Church. Donations in Howard's memory can be made to the Center Barnstead Fire Department, 106 S Barnstead Rd, Center Barnstead, NH 03225

The Waters Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.