WELSCH - James C., Jr., of Huntington, formerly of Great Neck, NY, died Friday, January 20, 2017. Mr. Welsch was president of Welsch Aviation in Huntington, a firm founded by his father in 1949. Jim built upon the corporate legacy of his father by growing Welsch Aviation's private and corporate aircraft business. He expanded the reach of Welsch Aviation to include offices across the United States. Jim led Welsch Aviation into the jet age thereby extending the firm's record as the oldest established active aircraft sales and acquisition organization in the world.James C. Welsch, Jr. was born in Cincinnati, OH on October 12, 1935 to James, Sr. and the former Effie Mae Bowser. The senior Mr. Welsch, a pioneer of aviation, and his wife welcomed their new son into their family and three months later took him up in an open cockpit, single engine bi-plane for his maiden voyage in the skies. After graduating from Hofstra University Jim married Gail A. Samuelson of Great Neck. Soon afterwards he began his active duty service as a volunteer in the Army. He joined his father's aircraft firm at the end of active duty, a move he said, "was good fortune, the right place at the right time." As often as possible, Jim and Gail could be found out east at their home in East Hampton, where the family could relax with good friends, host an annual summer gathering and enjoy the water. Though Jim was passionate about work and at times was on the phone, or drafting notes about a business deal, when he could've been relaxing. But he always brought it back to sitting down to a good drink on the deck, a few laughs and a meal with the people he cared for dearly. Mr. Welsch is survived by Gail, his wife of 58 years, his daughter Kristin and her husband Matthew of Amagansett, NY, daughter Leslie of Huntington, NY and his two beloved grandchildren, Kate and Kamden. In lieu of flowers donations to the Little Shelter Animal Rescue, Post Box 1805, Huntington, NY 11743 or The American Heart Association would be appreciated.

Published in Newsday on Jan. 26, 2017

Rick Pitts

This post is addressed to my Aviation community of friends and possibly some of my personal friends whom have not heard from me for some time now:

As of March 1, 2015, I have gone back to work at Jack Prewitt & Associates, Inc.

As of January 26, 2017 I am still here.

Same contact info as always.