Bradford Welch

BOSTON, MASS. — Bradford Melvin Welch, 69, of Casco, died Friday, Nov. 21, 2014, at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, after a long and courageous battle with leukemia.
He was born Sept. 1, 1945 the son of Leon M. and Phyllis L. Bartlett Welch. He grew up on Johnson Hill in West Poland, attending Poland school and Casco High School, Class of 1964. He attended Southern Maine Vocation Technical Institute, earning an Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts.
He proudly served in the United States Air Force at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. There, he met the love of his life, Clelie Marie Crawford. They were joined in marriage on April 18, 1970. Together they shared a wonderful love of the outdoors, hunting and fishing throughout Maine and North America.
He was a life member of S.A.M., a member and past commander of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, a member of the American Legion Post #155 in Naples, a member of the N.R.A., and a hunter safety instructor.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Clelie; his mother Phyllis of Norway; two sisters, Joan Wilfong of Saguache, Colorado and Terry Plummer of Casco; a brother, Rodney Welch of Mechanic Falls; his aunt Sharon Tyrell of Raymond; two nieces and two nephews; and many friends and family. Brad was predeceased by his father, Leon; and a brother Terrence.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 29 at 1 p.m. at Chandler Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, 26 W. Dwinal St., Mechanic Falls, with interment to follow at Highland Cemetery in West Poland. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1 Main St., #300, Topsham, ME 04086, or to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.chandlerfunerals.com