Milford's William Welch, who worked at the State House for 48 years, has died
MILFORD — Shortly after being elected in November 2016 to represent the 10th Worcester District, state Rep. Brian Murray, D-Milford, recalled being summoned down the hall to the State House office of Senate Clerk William Welch.
"'Let me show you something,'" Murray recalled Welch, a fellow Milford resident, telling him. "His office — you wouldn't believe it. It was like a museum, a history museum of Massachusetts government. Then he opened a log showing all of the people who visited the State House... he opened it to a date in 1972 and there was the name of Mary DePasquale Murray — my grandmother, who was really politically active.
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"It was a really kind gesture. Just a wonderful guy."
Welch, who retired at the end of 2018 after 48 years working in the State House — the last 15 as Senate clerk — died Saturday. He was 72.
According to his obituary, Welch was stricken while riding an MBTA train after attending the Harvard-Holy Cross College football game. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Maureen L. (Gulino) Welch; and two sons, Gregory and Geoffrey.
Senate President Karen Spilka broke the news to other legislators on Monday. She wrote with "immense sadness" to inform them of Welch's death, describing it as a "sudden" and "unexpected" loss.
"Billy provided a lifetime of service to the Senate, always with his trademark beaming smile and kindness," Spilka, D-Ashland, wrote in her note. "During his time here, he helped generations of senators, staff and members of the press and public navigate the legislative process. He treated us all as equals, was always willing to lend a hand, and always had a smile and a good word for everyone. He exemplified the best of what the Senate could and should be."
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Welch first came to the State House in 1970 as an office page, and began full-time work in 1973 under then-Clerk Norman Pidgeon. He later rose to become calendar clerk (1981), assistant clerk (1999) and clerk (2003).
The clerk is the official parliamentarian of the Senate, presiding over joint sessions with the House of Representatives. Welch played a vital role in the chamber's operation through historic events.
Following his retirement, Welch returned in recent months to assist in the clerk's office.
But perhaps above all, he was a fountain of knowledge.
Murray recalled sitting with Welch and then-House Clerk Steve James at a UMass Amherst basketball game during Murray's orientation in December 2016.
"Just listening to them, I got an oral history of Massachusetts state government," Murray marveled. "I told him (Welch) later, 'You need to write a book.'"
A Framingham native, Welch graduated in 1967 from Marian High School, in 1971 from St. Joseph's College and in 1977 from New England School of Law.
In February 2019, two month after Welch retired, the Milford Select Board — then the Board of Selectmen — honored him.
“You’ve made Milford proud in your distinguished career and I can only wish you well in your retirement,” said then-Selectman William Buckley at the time.
Murray said Welch was always quick to jokingly remind him of their Milford connection — especially when a key vote was at hand.
"Remember, Rep. Murray, I'm one of your constituents!" Welch would say with a laugh.
Material from State House News Service was used in this report.
This article originally appeared on The Milford Daily News: Former Senate Clerk William Welch of Milford dies unexpectedly
