Obituary of Duane Welch Duane Layton Welch, age 88, formerly of Campbell, NY; passed away on Saturday, April 28, 2018 at Absolut Care of Three Rivers. Duane was born April 30, 1930 to the late Vern and Edna (Cleveland) Welch. He met his wife, Leda Wilson, on a blind date set up by their mutual friends Geri and Don Watson.
Upon returning home from the date he discovered his new car had been damaged in a hit and run accident! He married Leda on June 30, 1957. They spent nearly 58 loving years together until her death January 21, 2015.
Duane was a member of the IBEW Local 1833 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers from 1952 to 1992. He retired from Westinghouse in Horseheads, NY with over 40 years of service, primarily in the Power House. Duane was a 33rd Degree Mason and was past member of the Corning Painted Post Masonic Lodge No.
168, F.& A.M., the Kalurah Shriners, and the Tuscarora Woodhall Chapter #273 Order of the Eastern Star, where he held various offices. Duane was a big Brooklyn Dodgers fan but over the years also became a NY Yankee fan, mostly because Leda was! He enjoyed time at Waneta Lake with family and friends as well as camping and gardening when he could.
As a member of the Turtle Club, he and Leda collected turtles of all kinds. All the grandchildren and great-grand children loved to search the house looking for them. Duane was also a collector of John Deere items and HO scale trains, including an original Lionel train set.
He and Leda spent many hours putting together puzzles of all kinds, usually with a Pomeranian or a cat lounging in front of the fireplace with them. Duane also loved watching all the birds that came to the feeders and had a running battle with the squirrels that tried to steal the seed! Duane is survived by his two daughters: Diana Daniels (Francis Castner) of Corning, NY, Debra Fain (Brian Mack) of Wellsboro, PA; grandchildren: Charles Horton, Jr., Kyle (Nicole) Rogers, Kasey Rogers, step-grandchildren Carey (Dave) Gibbons, Todd Daniels, Heath Fain and Gavin Fain; 4 great-grandchildren: Payton Rogers, Lincoln Rogers, Wyett Rodka and Zola Rachelle Valen-Baptiste; step-great grandchildren Emily Fain and Kyler Fain; several nieces and nephews including special nieces Sandy Shinner and Susan Hopper.
Along with his parents, Duane is predeceased by his brother Howard and sisters Wanda, Grace and Eunice; sons-in-law Fred Daniels and Allen Fain. Special thanks to all the nurses and staff at Absolut Care of Three Rivers, Unit C for their outstanding professional and compassionate care of Duane during his time with them. There will be no calling hours.
A short graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at the Seaman’s Cemetery in Savona. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Rochester & Finger Lakes Region, 435 E. Henrietta Rd, Rochester, NY 14620, your local S.P.C.A. or a donation of your choice.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
