Dominic Anthony Welch

Friday, Feb. 24, 2017

Dominic Anthony Welch

Oct. 29, 1932 – Feb. 15, 2017

After 84 years as a son, husband, father, uncle, grandfather and friend, we send Dominic Anthony Welch on his next adventure with great joy and hope. While his contagious smile, sharp intellect and dry wit will be greatly missed, we know he is enjoying a beautiful, raucous reunion with his parents, siblings, two of his daughters, and with many other friends and family who went before him.

Dominic was born in 1932, the son of Italian immigrants in the mining town of Mohrland, Utah.  After serving with the U.S. Army in the Korean War, he returned home and later married Jeanette R. Vigor on June 22, 1957. Over the next 12 years, Dominic and Jeanette gave birth to five children – four daughters and one son. Dominic became a certified public accountant, which led him to a 40-year career with the Salt Lake Tribune.

During this time, Dominic and the staff at the newspaper became so close that his children and spouse referred to them as a “second family.” Dominic took daily pleasure in political debates with the Tribune’s editorial board and its visitors. Even after 40 years, the thrill of watching the day’s final product run through the printing press still captivated Dominic.

As president and publisher of the Tribune, Dominic proved to be one of the most thoughtful, generous executives that the paper had ever seen. Those who worked with him described him as “one of a kind,” and “one of the finest people” they had ever known. 

At home, Dominic was the man who taught his kids to love old movies, Sunday night football, crossword puzzles, good scotch – but not too much, fine cowboy boots and long drives. It’s not every father who can sit behind the wheel for hours while his tone-deaf kids sing along to Neil Diamond and Kenny Rogers, but Dominic managed it every year during the family’s 10-hour trek from Salt Lake City to Laguna Beach, Calif.

 After he retired from his position at the Tribune in 2002, Dominic found delight in gardening, reading and spending extra time with his youngest grandchildren. Dominic also found a group of new friends at a local McDonald’s. These men would gather daily to drink coffee and to engage in the stimulating political conversations that Dominic once reveled in during daily interactions with the staff at the Tribune.

The Welch family is especially grateful for the kindness of those long-time Tribune family members during this very short, but difficult time.

Dominic’s last few weeks of life were every bit as special as the years that preceded them. A reserved man, incredibly reticent to discuss his past, an ailing Dominic still managed to make his grandkids laugh with tales of his younger days that they will never forget. After all, what young boy can forget an Army story that involves tarantulas? 

Dominic’s immediate and extended family, along with close friends, flocked to his and Jeanette’s side with an outpouring of love, respect and chocolate, which he craved as he succumbed to an aggressive brain tumor. Dominic now joins his parents, Anthony and Theresa; his daughters Stephanie and Tricia Marie; and siblings Tony, Josephine, Mary and Jimmy in heaven.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanette; daughters, Angela (Robert) Ambler and Jean (Ron) Hill; son, Matthew (Stacey); nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren; Dominic’s kindness, generosity, humility and intellect will continue to touch the lives of all who were blessed to know him.

Funeral services were held Feb. 22 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Catholic Community Services of Utah.