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John Timothy Welker
The sun rose on John Timothy Welker, the son of John Ralvan Welker and Mary Meagher Welker in Southampton Hospital on September 18th, 1966. John, affectionately known as JT, attended Tuckahoe Common School and graduated from Westhampton Beach High School. He then attended Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, MD.
JT founded Shinnecock Yacht Sales in 1993. With offices first at Jackson’s Marina, and later next door to Oakland’s Restaurant, JT always had an open door, a big smile and a warm welcome for all who came though it in search of a new vessel, or to just say hi. He possessed top notch boating skills and made many deliveries up and down the East Coast of boats he had sold, or just to help out a family member or friend.
Although JT was born with Hemophilia A, a chronic bleeding disease, he was never one to be defined by it. JT lived a long life filled to the brim with his love of family, friends, boats, fishing, cars, Jeeps, campers, the ocean and everything in the natural world including all things four legged, especially Honey, his beloved Golden Retriever. He found a way to find happiness, fun and laughter in every adventure and to share it with others so that they were equal partners on the journey.
JT was a member at Sacred Hearts Parish and an usher. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and a former member of Southampton Yacht Club and the Bullhead Yacht Club.
Beginning in 2015, JT participated in a three-year clinical study conducted by a pharmaceutical company searching for a better treatment for children born with Hemophilia A. The lead investigator for the study in the New York area was Catherine E. McGuinn M.D. of NY Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical College. The FDA approved the medication in the third year of the study. In spite of risks involved with any clinical study, JT was determined to participate if it could help other children born with Hemophilia A. Several hundred children with Hemophilia A are using that medication today.
The sun set on JT’s Life in the early morning of October 9th, 2024. He is survived by his mother, Mary Welker, sister Ann Welker and brother and sister-in-law William and Jessica Welker. He is also survived by Aunts Kathyrn Meagher, Ann Meagher Loso, Sandra Meagher and Uncles, Maurice F. Meagher, Paul M. Meagher and 14 Meagher cousins as well as the Cangiolosi, Anderson, and Sokolowski families in East Hampton.
The family is eternally grateful for the outpouring of love and support from the East End community and from his many, many friends from near and far. He loved each and every one of you deeply and knew that you loved him as well.
May JT’s spirit, filled with kindness, guide each of us in the days ahead.
Visitation will be held at Brockett Funeral Home on Friday, October 18th from 4 pm – 7 pm.
Mass will be held at The Basilica of Sacred Hearts in Southampton on Saturday, October 19th at 10 am.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to one of the following organizations: Southampton Volunteer Ambulance, Southampton Fire Department Firefighters Benevolent Association, Sacred Heart Church Auditorium Renovation, North Sea Maritime Museum or Star Aqua Center.
Staff Writer on Oct 15, 2024