Ray E. Welcher

Ray E. Welcher, 100, of Westborough and formerly of Danvers, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at the Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center in Westborough. He was the beloved husband of the late Helen C. (Papoojian) Welcher who passed away in 2018.

Born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, to the late Willis and Mildred (Risto) Welcher, Ray lived in Kansas and New Jersey before returning to Michigan. He served in the Navy during WWII and was deployed to the Philippines. After returning home, he graduated from Michigan State with a degree in electrical engineering. He was employed by GE and later the United Shoe Machinery Corporation.

Ray was a lifelong tinkerer, enjoying building and fixing things in his workroom. An avid reader, he particularly enjoyed books on history. He and his wife traveled extensively and enjoyed their lake house in New Hampshire, as well as the theatre and symphony. He was a devoted fan of Michigan State football and basketball and rarely missed a game on TV.

He is survived by his children, Ray Willis and Catherine (Bidese) Welcher of St. John, Indiana; Curtis and Cheryl (Wagner) Welcher of Westborough; and Charles Welcher of Davie, Florida.

Ray was a proud “Grampie” to six grandchildren and their spouses: Kimberly and her husband, Connor; PJ and his wife, Suzanne; Jessica and her husband, Andy; Alex; Andrew; and Nara. He was also blessed with two great-grandchildren, Walter and Riley.

In addition to his parents and wife, Ray was predeceased by his half-brother, Floyd, and his sister, Norma Kerlikowske Shands.

His funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, May 7, in St. Luke the Evangelist Church, 70 West Main Street, Westborough. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Luke’s Cemetery, Westborough.

A calling hour will precede his funeral Mass from 9 to 10 A.M. in the Pickering & Son Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main Street, Westborough.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Luke’s Church, Westborough.