Gerald M. Welsh

Gerald M. (Jerry) Welsh, age 79, died suddenly on Wednesday, May 12,2010, after a 7 year battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He was born on March 18, 1931, in Anderson, IN., the only child of the late Arthur Gerald and Bernice Brooks Welsh. Jerry was a 4 year Marine veteran, serving near Inchon during the Korean War. Jerry was educated at the University of Cincinnati, receiving both his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Geology and Education. He taught at Mott Community College, (formerly Flint Junior College), in Flint, MI., for 9 years, and also served on the Flint Housing Commission during these years. Jerry was then appointed Director of R.T. Longway Planetarium (a major U.S. planetarium) in Flint, MI., a position he held for 22 years until his retirement in 1988. In 1975, he met his loving wife, the former Nancy Drinkard Pearce, of Satellite Beach, FL. Following a whirlwind romance, they married August 21, 1976. Nancy and her 5 children relocated to Jerry's home in Flint, MI., where they actively shared in the lives of their children and grand-children. Although Jerry enjoyed his years of service to the Flint community, he reveled in the adventures of active retirement in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Jerry and Nancy traveled extensively throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. A tradition they begun with their numerous grandchildren involved a scenic and historic trip throughout the western U.S. His expertise in geology and history amazed the young'uns, and provided shared memories for the children who still compare photos and mementos of their grand adventures with Papa and Nana. Their loving hearts also extended to those less fortunate, as Jerry and Nancy volunteered many hours of their retirement years to organizations supporting the needs of abused children. Jerry was a member of Our Saviour's Catholic Church, Cocoa Beach, FL. Jerry was an avid golfer at the Cocoa Beach Country Club, as well as the Genesee Golf Club in Grand Blanc, MI, until his health precluded his playing. He passed on the love for golf to several grandsons active in the sport. His hobbies and interests included antiques, carpentry, home improvement projects, reading, coin collecting, and current events. Jerry is survived by his wife, Nancy; children, Anna-Marie (Pearce) Neil; the late Richard Pearce, Jr.; the late Murray Pearce, Sr.; Matthew Welsh, of Grand Blanc, MI., Teresa Pearce (Bill) Adams, of Flint, MI; Charles Pearce, Sr., (Cheryl) of Flint, MI., and Tracy Munson of Cedar Edge, CO. Grandchildren: Charles (Vicki) Pearce, Jr., Richard (Lindsay) Pearce III, Michael Pearce, Murray (Courtney) Pearce, Jr., Anthony (Christi) Pearce, David Severson, Leighanna (Joey) Pearce Egan, Nicholas Pearce, Andrew (Malissa) Severson, William Adams III, Cody Welsh, Andria Pearce, Angela Pearce, Hannah Severson, Kate Adams, Sarah Adams, and Zachary Pearce. Great-grandchildren: Charles Pearce III, Jonathon Pearce, Jacob Severson, Jack Egan, Lucas Pearce, Fiona Egan, Ben Pearce, Nathan Pearce, and Matthew Severson. The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., May 14th at Beckman-Williamson Funeral Home, Brevard Avenue, Cocoa Beach. A funeral Mass at Our Saviour's Catholic Church, Cocoa Beach, will be held on Saturday, May 15th at 10:30AM. You may sign Jerry's guestbook at www.beckman-williamson.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society of Our Saviour's Catholic Church.