Jack Welch, Local Resident, Civic Leader

John D. "Jack" Welch of Basking Ridge passed away suddenly on Tuesday, June 25, 2013. He was born in Princeton, NJ before moving to Basking Ridge where he spent most of his life.

Jack graduated from Ridge High School in 1965, and attended Cornell University where he received his Bachelors Degree in 1969. He was a very successful entrepreneur and one of the founding members of Growth Restaurants, which owned The Store, Willy's, Thirsty Turtle, Bamboo Grill, Readington Road House, and the Public House. He was awarded the Restaurateur of the year award in 1985. 

Jack was on the Board of Directors at the Somerset Hills YMCA which he served on for many years, and founding chairman of Growth Bank. Jack joined the men's bible study at the Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church, where he was an active member and Elder, and also for over thirty years held weekly men's Bible studies in many of his restaurants. 

He was on the Bernards Twp. Republican Municipal Committee during the 1970's and 1980's. He also supported Good News Home for Women in Flemington, a long term residential rehabilitation center for women to overcome the life-destroying effects of alcohol and drug addictions.

Jack loved to spend his free time on the golf course, and support Ridge High School Basketball and other sports, along with helping in local fundraisers and charities in the area. Jack was an avid Yankee and Giants fan, and a great lover of basketball. He enjoyed word and number puzzles, and was a voracious reader. 

He is survived by his wife, Judith Logan; three children Amy Baisley and husband Michael, Molly Welch, and Emily Welch; his mother Carolyn Cole; three grandchildren Abigail, Noonie, and Kate Baisley; and his two brothers Rev. Jeffrey and Daniel Welch. He also is survived by four stepchildren, Shane Fatzinger, Kyle Fatzinger, Todd Lehne, and Tessa Lehne McMahon. 

Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 30, 2013 at Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home, 101 S. Finley Avenue, Basking Ridge from 1 to 4 p.m. Memorial Service will be held on Monday, July 1, 2013, 11:00 am at the Center Court of the Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church. 

In lieu of flowers donation may be made in his memory to the Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 55, Liberty Corner, NJ 07938, Somerset Hills YMCA, 140 Mt. Airy Road, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, Good News Home For Women, 63 Main Street, Suite 207, Flemington NJ 08822, or Market Street Mission, 9 Market Street, Morristown, NJ 07960. For more information please contact the Funeral Home at 908-766-0250 or to light an online condolence candle visit our websitewww.gcfuneralhome.com.