Eugene F. “Gene” Welch, Jr.

Retired Lowell school teacher;

Eugene F. “Gene” Welch, Jr., 85, of Lowell, a well-known local educator, passed away Sunday morning at the Palm Center in Chelmsford.
He was the loving husband of the late Claire M. (McGaughey) Welch who died February 2006.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, a son of the late Eugene F. and the late Mary A. (McGuire) Welch, he attended Lowell schools and was a graduate of Lowell School in the Class of 1951.
Gene continued his education at Lowell Technological Institute (nka U/Mass Lowell) where he received a Bachelor of Science in Leather Engineering in 1956. He then attained his Master’s in Mathematics from Fitchburg State University in 1965.
A veteran of the Korean War, Gene proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. Army.

Prior to his retirement, Gene was a Lowell school teacher having taught at both the Moody and Sullivan Junior High Schools. In addition, he was a part-time Professor in Continuing Education at U/Mass Lowell.
A devout Catholic, Gene was a daily communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church in Lowell until his recent illness.
Gene was a Lifetime member of the Lowell Lodge of Elks.

However, the times he cherished most was with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Gene is survived by three children Eugene F. “Gene” Welch and his wife Lauri of Lowell, Bethanne Welch of Lowell and Kevin M. Welch and his wife Jacqui Danis of Westford; four grandchildren Alison Welch Murray and her husband Tyler of Tewksbury, Sarah A. Welch of Gilford, NH, Connor Welch and Dylan Welch both of Westford; and many nieces and nephews.

In light of the Covid 19 health crisis and federal and state restrictions, Gene’s Funeral Services were private with burial at St. Mary Cemetery. His Funeral Mass and Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in his memory to the Lowell Association for the Blind, 169 Merrimack St., Lowell, MA 01852 or the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, 735 Broadway St., Lowell, MA 01854. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL - (978) 458-8768.

Patricia A. (Sheedy) Martel

Loving mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt and friend to all;

Patricia A. (Sheedy) Martel, 72, of Lowell, passed away Saturday April 18, 2020 at the High Pointe Hospice House in Haverhill, Massachusetts.

She was the beloved wife of William L. Martel with whom she would have celebrated 53 years of marriage this May.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, February 6, 1948, a daughter of the late Thomas W. and the late Rose (McCarthy) Sheedy, she attended Lowell schools and was a graduate of Greater Lowell Technical High School.

Pat worked for many years at Circle Home until her retirement in 2016.

Pat was very proud of her Irish heritage and enjoyed celebrating it with her family and friends. She also enjoyed trips to beach with her good friend Sue Gordon.

Kind and generous, Pat’s home was always open to family and friends in need. However, she was most happy when she was with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Besides her husband, Pat is survived by a daughter Michelle Callahan and her husband William of Tyngsboro; a son William J. Martel and his wife Gina of Lowell; three grandchildren Joey and Brett Callahan of Tyngsboro and Claire Martel of Lowell; two brothers Robert Sheedy of Dracut and Richard Sheedy of Greensburg, PA; a sister Kathleen Rondeau of Lowell; her sisters-in-law Gail Martel of Dracut, Shirley Ann Kelley of Lowell, Kathy Lyerly and her husband JC of Billerica, Sue Noel and her husband Peter of Dracut and Beverly Martel of Lowell; many nieces and nephews.

She was also the sister of the late Thomas Sheedy who died in 2003.

In light of the Covid 19 crisis and federal and state restrictions, all Funeral Services were private. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in her memory to Vozzyslegacyforlupus.com. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL – 978-458-8768.

Nancy A. (Lamphier) Netzer

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt;

Nancy A. (Lamphier) Netzer, 78, of Lowell died Monday, April 6, 2020 at the Northwood Rehabilitation & Health Care Center in Lowell.  She was the beloved wife of the late Floyd A. "Andy" Netzer who died January 27, 2020.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, November 10, 1941, she was the daughter of the late Clarence E. Lamphier and the late Irene A. (Allen) Lamphier, she received her education in the Lowell school system.

Before retiring, Nancy was employed as a layout operator at Lucent Technology in North Andover, MA where she worked for over 27 years.

Among her many activities, she loved to playing bingo, crocheting, sewing and playing cards. She especially enjoyed vacationing on Newfound Lake in NH.

Nancy is survived by two sons Harold T. Pearson of Lowell, MA;  and Jeffrey J. Pearson of Manchester, NH; a grandson Deven J. Pearson and his mother Kelly Martinez of Dracut, MA; a sister Florence Dube and her husband Gerard of Lowell, MA;  three brothers John Lamphier of Littleton, MA; Clarence Lamphier and his wife Carol of Florida; and Richard Lamphier of Florida; many nieces and nephews. She was also the sister-in-law of Rosemarie Sullivan and her husband Robert of Townsend, MA.

She was the sister of the late: Fay Baillargeon; Ruth Carroll; Edward Lamphier (and his wife Gloria of Andover); Joan Gray and Wayne Lamphier; and Gerald Lamphier (and his wife Sheila of Florida).

There will be no calling hours. Funeral Services will be private. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in her  memory to St. Jude’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL – (978) 458 – 8768.  

Patrick J. O'Brien

Former Owner and President of Focus Chemical Corporation.

Patrick J. O’Brien, 79, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, passed away Wednesday April 15, 2020 at Bellamy Fields in Dover, New Hampshire.

For 46 years, he was the beloved husband of Anne M. (Cooney) O’Brien who survives him and with whom he resided in Portsmouth, NH and Jupiter Island, FL.

Born in Lowell, MA, January 10, 1941, Pat was the oldest child of Elizabeth (Jump) O'Brien and Leon O'Brien. Pat attended the Immaculate Conception School and Keith Academy High School, graduating in 1958.  He graduated from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME in 1962 with a Degree in Chemistry. Throughout his high school and college years, Pat played basketball as a guard.

Pat was an Army veteran and from 1963-65, while in the Army, he received the Distinguished Joint Service Commendation Medal from the Secretary of Defense for meritorious service during the period July 1963 to January 1965 serving as a member of the Office of Telecommunications National Security Agency, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.

In 1965 Pat began his career in the chemical business and worked in this field until his retirement in 2006.  He began his long and industrious career at Hooker Chemical in Niagara Falls, NY in 1965 and was employed at other chemical companies in the US. In 1983 he founded Focus Chemical Corporation, a niche business, located in Portsmouth, NH.  At Focus, his chemical distribution company imported highly specialized chemicals from Europe, Asia and Brazil.  Pat was a member of the NACD (National Association of Chemical Distributors), the New England Chemical Club and Portsmouth Country Club in Greenland, NH.

Pat was an avid reader, boater, family man and gentleman.  He will be remembered by friends and family for his infectious laugh, laid back personality and great sense of humor. 

In addition to his wife Anne, he is survived by his daughter Christine A. O'Brien of Brisbane, Australia; his siblings: Maureen (O'Brien) Finnegan of Norwalk, CT; Laurence O'Brien and his wife Vicki of Salisbury, MA;  Margaret (O'Brien) Meade and her husband Brian of Lowell, MA; Brenda (O’Brien) Schroer and her husband Edward of Lowell, MA, as well as many nieces and nephews.

In light of the Covid 19 medical crisis and federal and state restrictions, Patrick’s Funeral Service will be private. A Celebration of Life Service for Patrick will be held at a later date to be announced. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Memorial donations may be made in Pat's memory to: Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Rd., S. W. Lilburn, GA 30047. or LBDA.org. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL – (978) 458-8768.