Obituary of Nathaniel Welch

Nathaniel Welch was born in Rochester, New York on April 7, 1932 to Piggees and Geneva Welch. Nate attended #3 School and James Madison High School. He entered the Air Force in 1952 and served until 1956. While stationed in Germany he went to see the Count Basie Band. For some reason the bass player couldn't make it so the Count asked if there was a bass player in the house. Nate raised his hand and agreed to sit in with the band. He received rave reviews from the audience as well as Count Basie. Upon completion of his military tour, Nate returned to Rochester where he worked for various employers. These included the City of Rochester, Sealy Mattress Company and Regional Transit Service where he retired after 29 years. A gifted musician, Nate mastered every instrument he touched. Among them were the guitar, upright bass, piano, baritone saxophone and xylophone. Nate played with various bands around the city but he prided himself in being a 16-year member of the 98th Division Army Reserve Band. Nate and Peg first met in May of 1980 in the 98th Band. They enjoyed many years together there as well as in the Brighton Fire Department Band. Nate had two boys with Peg who were the pride of his life. Aaron, the oldest, is in the Navy and Michael is in the Marines. Everywhere Nate went he had to show their pictures and brag about "his boys" in the military. On November 15, 2007 Nate died peacefully at home after a long battle with cancer. Predeceased by his parents, 6 brothers and 4 sisters. He is survived by his wife, Margaret (Peggy); sons, Aaron (U.S. Navy) and his wife, Stephanie of Mukilteo, WA, Michael (U.S. Marines) of Quantico, VA; daugh-ter, Tanya of Rochester; 2 brothers, Cornelius (Betty) and Thomas; sister, Ernestine Wims, all of Rochester; brothers-in-law, Richard (Bette) Eiseman of Wexford, PA, Donald Eiseman of Wil-liamson, NY and Lawrence Eiseman of Pasadena, MD; sisters-in-law, Laura (Darrell) Freeman of Dardanelle, AR, Mary (Kevin) Maltzahn of Webster, NY and Sara (Scott) Palmer of Lyons, NY; 4 grandchildren; several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He is also survived by many friends at RTS, 98th Division Army Reserve Band and Lifespan (Downtown). Special "thank you" to Becky and Lynn of Visiting Nurse Service Hospice Care. Interment, Mt. Hope Cemetery.