Robert C. "Bibo" Welch passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his loving family on May 3rd. Son of the late Robert J and Marie (Alessandri) Welch, he grew up in Springfield and attended Cathedral High School and graduated from the former Trade School. He was a four-year Navy Veteran and served proudly on the USS Forrestal. He worked as an Iron Worker for Local 357 and retired in 2004 as a Teamster driver for Local 404. Robert was a lifetime member of the Dante Club and Verdi Club and belonged to the American Legion Post 124.

Robert was well liked by everyone he met and will always be remembered for his sense of humor and generosity. He was always a free spirit who enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson with his friends in his younger days. He enjoyed traveling, good food, and spending time with his family and friends, especially during summer weekends at Misquamicut Beach Rhode Island. He was a wonderful husband and father but truly enjoyed spoiling his grandchildren. He was their biggest fan at all their events, especially hockey. The grandchildren loved him back just as much often referring to him as "the oldest living teenager".

Robert often said how lucky he was to meet his best friend and love of his life Mary Lou whom he leaves behind after 62 years of marriage. He also leaves his devoted daughters Debra Sullivan (Welch) and her husband James, Sheri Calabrese (Welch) and former son in-law Pasquale Calabrese; grandsons Vincent Mazza and Michael Sullivan; granddaughters Gia Calabrese, Christina Quinones (Calabrese) and her wife Lorena, Katherine Page (Sullivan) and her husband Jordan; great grandchildren Tyler Sullivan, Declan Page, and Griffin Page; sisters Joyce Welch and Jacqueline Dean; and several nieces, nephews  He was predeceased by his daughter Marie Mazza (Mayers) and her husband Dominic Mazza, sister Judith Sweeney, and grandson Robert Calabrese.

The funeral will be held at the West Springfield Curran-Jones Funeral Home Monday, May 12th at 9:00am followed by burial in the Massachusetts Veteran's Memorial Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held Sunday from 4:00 – 7:00pm. For online condolences please visit curranjones.com. In lieu of flowers, please perform a random act of kindness to someone in need.