Thomas Leroy "Dusty" Welch, 92, of Benedict, MD died on September 27, 2012 at Southern Maryland Hospital Center in Clinton, MD. Born May 23, 1920 in Benedict, MD, he was the son of the late Louis S. Welch, Sr. and the late Ella (Goldsmith) Welch.

Dusty retired from SMECO after working there for 30 years. He was a lifelong waterman in Benedict and also a lifelong member of St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church as well as Benedict Volunteer Fire Department. His greatest joys were spending time with his family and friends, watching the Baltimore Orioles, and time spent on the Patuxent River.

In addition to his parents, Dusty is predeceased by his son, David Welch; his grandson, Kevin Tettimer; his brothers, Kenneth, Louis (Sam), Camillus, Roger and Adolph Welch; and his sisters, Angie Gardiner, Stella Violette, and Lucille Williams.

He is survived by his loving wife, Margaret F. Welch; his children, Judy Hutchins, Elaine Tettimer, and Larry Welch (Mary Lee ); his grandchildren Annette Huntzberry (John), Kristen Walker (Jeff), Kerrie Heydt (Kurt), Michelle Welch Quade (Lee), and Kyle Welch; his 10 great grandchildren; his brother Philip Welch; his sister Margaret Ann Brock; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will be received to celebrate Dusty's life on Sunday, September 30, 2012 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home, P.A., 30195 Three Notch Road, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622. There will be a Mass on Monday, October 1, 2012, 10:00 AM, at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church, 7185 Benedict Avenue, Benedict, MD 20612. Interment will follow to St. Mary's Bryantown Church Cemetery, 13715 Notre Dame Place, Bryantown, MD 20617.

Pallbearers will be: Kurt Heydt, John Huntzberry, Lee Quade, Jeff Walker, Ryan Walker, and Kyle Welch.

Memorial Contributions may be made to: St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church, P.O. Box 306, Benedict, MD 20612 (or) Benedict Volunteer Fire Department & Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 303, Benedict, MD 20612.

Arrangements provided by Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home.