Welby N. Reynolds, 95, passed away on Saturday, February 9, 2019 at home under the care of his family and Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley.
Calling hours were held on Tuesday, February 12th from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the Green Funeral Home, Gouverneur with burial in Riverside Cemetery, Gouverneur in the spring.
Welby was born in Gouverneur on May 12, 1923, the son of William and Bernice Williams Reynolds.
He graduated from high school in 1940 and attended Clarkson University.
Welby married Ruth Peck on June 16, 1951 in Gouverneur.
He worked for New York Central Railroad from 1940 until 1943 when he entered the United States Army, serving in Company C 712th Railway Battalion until 1946 when he was honorably discharged. Welby returned to the Railroad until 1951 when he purchased his family farm just outside of Gouverneur on Old Route 58 North. He and his wife Ruth raised their family on the farm which he sold to his son Matthew in 1987.
The couple enjoyed riding motorcycles and taking their children downhill skiing. He also enjoyed studying maps and had a brilliant math mind and unbelievable recall. Welby loved to cut wood and often explained how it provided heat multiple times as you cut, split, stacked and finally burned it. He believed this made wood a superior energy source.
Welby is survived by his wife of 67 years Ruth, his six children Scott Reynolds of Gulfport, FL, Joel Welby and Kay Reynolds of Williston, VT, Susan Sorrell of Columbia, SC, Randy and Beth Reynolds of Sheldon, VT, Gregg and Nancy (Tovey) Reynolds of Williston, VT, Matthew Reynolds of Gouverneur, several grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Bill Reynolds of Bigelow, Elaine Gruneisen of Gouverneur, Jean Reynolds of Fowler, several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents and a sister Margaret Clark.
Memorial donations in Welby’s memory are encouraged to Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley, 6805 U.S. Hwy. 11, Potsdam, NY 13676.