Bartholomew “Bart” Welch, 88, of Lawton, OK passed away after a brief illness on Tuesday, May 25th. Bart was born November 3, 1932 in Albany to Bartholomew P. and Ruth (Meehan) Welch. His lifelong love affair with sports started at a young age, and Bart excelled in many but particularly loved baseball, bowling and golf. He loved to compete and from the young age of 12, Bart played annually in the Times Union Junior Golf Tournament. In April of 1951, the Times Union legendary cartoonist Hy Rosen memorialized Bart’s accomplishments when he wrote of his victory at the 1951 Times Union Championship Bowling Tournament. Bart maintained a 203 average for 32 games, all at the age of 18. At the time, he was the youngest man to qualify for the National Match Championship Game in Chicago. After graduating from Vincentian Institute, Bart enlisted in the Army and trained at Fort Sill in Southwest Oklahoma, near the City of Lawton. Bart went on to proudly serve his country in the Korean War. Upon completing his tour of duty, Bart returned to Lawton, where he made many close friends who he often referred to as his “Lawton Family.” Bart was blessed to have several families in addition to his close friends in Lawton. He was a member of the “Friends of Bill” family for almost 40 years. Many of his friends there emotionally recalled Bart’s support for them in difficult times, telling Bart’s nephew and nieces they would attend meetings because they knew Bart would be there, and his words of wisdom helped “make them a better person.” For more than the last decade of his life, “Uncle Bart” would return each Summer to Albany and reconnect with his family and his childhood friends across the Northeast. Each day, Bart would walk to Capitol Hills from his “summer home” at the Purcell’s on South Main. Once there, he would drink his coffee, chip and putt on the putting green and make conversation with fellow golfers. It was all part of his never-ending pursuit of a scratch handicap. Bart’s time in Albany was always in high demand, and family here spent many days marveling at his straight drives, short game acumen, and his ability to “shoot his age.” When not golfing, he loved backyard barbeques and satisfying his sweet tooth by taking home a plate of homemade desserts. More importantly, the family will always cherish his Albany visits, hearing stories from his long and rich life. Everyone counted the days until “Uncle Bart’s” next visit, and always tried to convince him to stay in town longer. As anyone who knew Bart can attest, he never hesitated to offer a brief story to inspire and offer hope and laughter, and those supportive words were always welcomed. Bart had tremendous faith in his family, his religion, and the fact brighter days were ahead if you put in your best effort and had a generous spirit. Bart Welch was a beloved member of many families, and while everyone will miss “Uncle Bart’s” presence, they will be equally grateful for having known him, and are far better for the experience. He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved sister Dolores Welch Purcell and niece Kim Santore. He is survived by nieces and nephews, Patrick and Kathleen Purcell, Nancy and Steve Agans, Julie and John Sanford, Gena Purcell, Jackie and Jerry Alevisatos, Geri and Mike Mancini, and Amy and Carl Nelson, as well as many, many great and great, great nieces and nephews. The wake will be held at 10 a.m. at the Parish of Mater Christi, 40 Hopewell Street in Albany on Monday, June 7th with the funeral Mass immediately following at 11AM. Bart will be interned in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in East Greenbush.