DENNIS - The Honorable Robert A. Welsh Jr.  (ret.), of Dennis, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2025, after a long battle with cancer.

The son of the late Robert and Alma (Danforth) Welsh, Bob graduated from Provincetown High School in 1955 and from Holy Cross College in 1959. After graduating from Boston College Law School in 1962, he married the love of his life, Natalie. They would have been married 63 years in September.

After his marriage, Bob entered the United States Army graduating from the Army Armor School. He attained the rank of Captain, serving as a Judge Advocate General until 1966.

After serving in the Army, Bob returned to the Cape to practice law. He served as Town Counsel for the Barnstable County towns of Provincetown, Dennis and Mashpee.

He was the First Executive Director of Legal Services of Cape Cod and the Islands, Inc., which provides representation for people unable to afford an attorney. He, along with Richard Staff, formed the law firm of Staff and Welsh, which served the community for many years and gave rise to a life-long friendship. Having a sister with Down’s Syndrome, Bob was a founding member of Nauset Workshop, now known as Cape Abilities.

In 1973, Bob was appointed First Justice of the Orleans District Court. He presided at the Orleans District Court for 35 years until he retired in 2008. He was regarded by the lawyers, and members of the public that appeared before him, as a fair Judge with excellent knowledge of the law, but also a Judge with a good sense of humor. Most of all, he was known for his kindness and compassion, treating all people who appeared before him with dignity and respect. Bob was a spiritual man who was dedicated to his faith. He served his Church as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector for 37 years.

While Bob was a dedicated public servant, his greatest love was his family. It was his great joy to spend time with his wife Natalie and to see his children and grandchildren flourishing in their own lives. With his calm, gentle demeanor, Bob guided his children and grandchildren to be their best selves.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 62 years, Natalie (Lawler), his daughter, Anastasia Welsh Perrino (spouse, Thomas), son Robert A. Welsh, III (spouse, Lynne), and son James D. Welsh (significant other, Shannon), along with four grandchildren, Andrew Perrino (spouse, Stephanie); Matthew Perrino (fiancée, Madison); Robert A. Welsh IV (fiancée, Julia) and Ryan Welsh (significant other, Alyssa) and two stepgrandchildren, Danielle Devine (spouse, Anna) and Alexandra Devine. Bob is also survived by his sisters Mary and Alma Welsh. He was predeceased by his brothers Walter and Charles Welsh and his sister Ann Claire Welsh.

The family would like to express heartfelt thanks to Bob’s nurses, Barbara, Pam, Nancy and Stephanie for their loving care of Bob, as well as the to the countless doctors, nurses and staff at Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Cape Cod Hospital, and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospitals in Cambridge and Sandwich for their wonderful care of Bob.

Services were private. Expressions of sympathy and memories may be made at www.hallettfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston and directed to Head and Neck Cancer Research or to the Jimmy Fund.