Robert John Welsh

Robert “Bob” Welsh, 72, of Hamilton, NJ, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at home after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.  Born in Trenton, NJ, Bob was a lifelong area resident.  He was a union carpenter by trade and worked in his field for over 30 years with Carpenter’s former Local #31, now Local #254.  Bob was a skilled tradesman and handyman extraordinaire, honored to contribute to many local projects. An avid sportsman, Bob was proud of his baseball achievements.  After garnering 1st Team All-City and All-State baseball honors in 1968, he was signed by the Cincinnati Reds and played shortstop for them in the minor leagues until 1973.  He remained active in sports, coaching numerous local teams and was fondly known as “Coach.”  In his later years, his passion turned to golf, playing daily with his wife while at their home in Florida.  Bob also enjoyed fishing and playing quoits with his brothers and friends.  A good conversationalist, Bob always had a story at the ready, whether about his many travel adventures, gardening achievements, or do-it-yourself exploits.

Bob was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many.  He was predeceased by his parents, Richard and Bernadette Johannes Welsh and brother, Gary Welsh.  Bob is survived by his devoted wife of 45 years, Gina Urbani Welsh and their two loving daughters, Erin Welsh Wheeler and her husband Wayne and Beth Welsh Smith and her husband Adam, along with two cherished grandsons, Anderson and Bennett Smith.  He also leaves behind five siblings, Richard Welsh and his wife Rosetta, Linda Vrancik and her husband Ed, William “Billy” Welsh and his wife Lisa, Michael Welsh and his wife Jeanine, Patrick Welsh and his wife Anna, and a brother-in-law, Lee Urbani and his wife Dawn, as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, and other family and friends.

Family and friends may pay their respects on Friday, October 27, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Saturday morning from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Hamilton Brenna-Cellini Funeral Home, 2365 Whitehorse-Mercerville Rd., Hamilton, NJ 08619.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bob’s memory to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center at www.giving.mskcc.org                     

Please visit Bob’s tribute page at www.brennacellinifuneralhomes.com

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