Jerome Francis Welsh, Lt Col, USAF (Ret.) - Obituary

erome Francis Welsh Lieutenant Colonel, USAF (ret) 4 November 1930 – 21 November 2025 Jerome Francis Welsh peacefully entered into a state of grace with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at his home in Fort Washington Maryland, with his wife Evelyn at his side. He was 95 years old. Jerry, as he was known to his friends and family, was born in Trenton, N.J. on 4 November as the only child of John Welsh and Jane Godney. His family was of both Polish and Irish descent, which instilled in him the values of family and hard work. He was predeceased in life by his mother Jane, father John, stepfather Russell, son Stuart and infant grandson Jack. Jerry came of age in Trenton, NJ and upon graduation from Hightstown High School in 1949 he entered Rutgers University, pursuing a major in German. He graduated at the top of his class in 1953 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. During his college years he was set up on a blind date where he met and fell immediately in love with Evelyn Eitzer. They were married on 11 September 1954 and began a 71-year journey of life together - traveling and living around the world with their five children. Highlights of Jerry’s 27-year career in the Air Force took his family to South Korea, Bremerhaven, Germany, Rutgers University, Monterey, California, Washington, DC and Bucharest, Romania, where he served as the Air Force Attaché for four years during the height of communist rule under Nicholae Ceausecu. In June of 1980, Jerry retired from the USAF and began a second 15-year career with Delex Systems, supporting the Office of Naval Intelligence. In the 45 years following his retirement from the Air Force, Jerry and Evelyn had a rich and fulfilling retirement together and traveled extensively to Germany and across Europe, tending to their garden full of rich and vibrant azaleas, watching Norte Dame football, and pursuing his hobby of collecting breweriana (beer coasters, trays and glasses), earning him the moniker “Coaster Baron.” Jerry had a brilliant mind, a sharp sense of humor, and a gift for languages. He was fluent in German, Russian, Polish, French and Romanian. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and son. He is survived by his wife Evelyn Welsh, daughters Suzan Welsh of Harwich, MA, Dr. Caitlin Papastamelos and husband Dr. Thanasi Papastamelos of Egg Harbor, NJ, Diane Welsh of Lusby, Maryland, Maureen Esposito and husband Captain John Esposito, USN (ret) of Alexandria, VA, daughter-in-law Jennifer Clarke, and six grandchildren: Emily Fietz, Harrison Fietz, Sofia Papastamelos, Dr. Christine Papastamelos, Camille Esposito and Carolyn Esposito. The family is thankful for the rich, impactful and long life Jerry enjoyed and the loving support provided to Jerry, Evelyn, and the family by his aide, Sara Mariam over the last two years. Family and friends are invited to a funeral mass in Jerry’s honor at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church of Piscataway - Clinton, Maryland on Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 10 a.m.