Brian Michael Welsch

Brian Michael Welsch, 71, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2026, surrounded by his family. May the road rise to meet him and may he rest in peace.

Brian was born July 14, 1954, in Dublin, Ireland, and was the son of the late George and Dorothy (Kerrigan) Welsch. He married Barbara Conway on September 27, 1980. He was a loving father to Liam Welsch of Boardman, and Brian Michael Welsch (Jacqueline Cocco) of Buffalo, N.Y., and a proud grandfather to Charles, Henry, and Josephine.

Brian's life began under extraordinary circumstances. Born Michael John Gaughan to the late Bridget "Bridie" (née Gaughan) Herbert, Brian spent his early years in an Irish mother and baby home under Bridie's devoted care before being adopted into George and Dorothy's loving home in 1956. The Welsch and Kerrigan clans quickly became his family, and he proudly called Youngstown home for nearly 70 years.

Brian maintained a profound connection to his Irish heritage-through family, local Irish dancing, and the occasional pint of Guinness. He would eventually establish contact with his biological family. In 2020, he traveled to Dublin to reunite with Bridie and meet his four siblings and many nieces and nephews for the first time. That reunion, and the relationships that followed, brought closure and led to a deeply meaningful chapter of his life.

Brian graduated from Ursuline High School in 1973 and attended Youngstown State University where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Under the mentorship of the late John Hughes, he dedicated nearly 40 years of his professional life to serving others as a funeral director at McVean & Hughes Funeral Home on Wick Avenue, a vocation that reflected his compassion, dignity, and steady presence during families' most difficult moments.

Brian enjoyed golfing and passionately supported his Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Youngstown State Penguins. He cherished Conway family vacations at the Jersey Shore, football weekends in South Bend, and golf trips to Myrtle Beach.

In addition to his immediate family, Brian is survived by his siblings: Mary Beth (Welsch) McDonnell and husband David of Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland; Grainne (Herbert) Vesterlund of Sundsvall, Sweden; and, Niamh (Herbert) Roche and husband Fergus; Sid Herbert and wife Ciara; and Shane Herbert and wife Helen, all of Dublin, Ireland. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters in-law Charles and Diane Conway, James and Deborah Conway, and Robert Conway, all of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family across the United States and Ireland.

Brian was preceded in death by his parents George and Dorothy, his mother Bridie, his parents-in-law Charles and Mary Conway, and his sister-in-law Mary (Conway) Deitrich.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Dr. DeRosa and staff, especially Jill Barton, CNP, Southern Care Hospice, and The Woodlands at AustinWoods for their compassionate care and support.

Visitation will be held on Thursday April 30th from 5 to 7 PM and on Friday May 1st from 11 to 12:15 AM at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman-Canfield Chapel, 3701 Starr's Centre Drive.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be follow on Friday at 1PM at St. Columba Cathedral, 154 W Wood Street, Youngstown.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ursuline Sisters Mission, 4280 Shields Road, Canfield, Ohio 44406.