Joseph Welch

Joe was born on August 5th, 1948 in Pittsburg, Kansas to Clayton and Antoinette Welch. He grew up in Arma, Kansas where he played football and basketball and developed an interest in cars. Following high school he attended the University of Kansas and graduated with an electrical engineering degree which he put to good use when he started his career with Detroit Edison. In 2003 Joe founded ITC Holdings and their first purchase was the transmission assets from his former employer DTE. Shortly thereafter he had a significant trial by fire event with the blackout of 2003 which disrupted power to the midwest and northeast. His leadership was instrumental in getting the issue identified, and power restarted. Despite this rough start, over the course of his 13 year run as CEO at ITC, they listed on the New York Stock Exchange and grew into the nation's largest independent transmission company with operations in 8 states. In 2016, Canadian based Fortis acquired ITC and Joe retired shortly thereafter. For most people retirement means taking it easy, but Joe only knew one speed and that was pedal to the metal, he was as busy in retirement as ever with his passion projects. He started his drag racing operation, Joe Welch Racing, and won a few NHRA events. His passion for hunting and hunting dogs led to the purchase of a ranch in South Dakota where his vision of a wild bird paradise remains evident today. He loved Northern Michigan and spent time taking the grandkids on the ski boat, or Clare on the pontoon for a leisurely excursion around Lake Charlevoix. Joe enjoyed golf and hunting trips with his friends, catching up with his ITC colleagues, sitting on various boards, and working on one of his many to-do lists. Joe was a fierce competitor, but also had a giant heart. He was particularly proud of funding track chairs to enable disabled veterans to access hunting grounds and funding scholarships to rural students at University of Kansas who were presuing Engineering. Several other charities that he supported devoted their efforts to children's health, the military, and first responders. Whether you knew Joe as husband, dad, grandpa, uncle, boss, friend, benefactor, or mentor, he could always be counted on and left a big impression. His family will strive to continue his legacy. Joe leaves a giant hole in all of our hearts. His Catholic faith grew stronger in retirement and he attended church whenever possible. His daily routine included daily readings of the bible, meditations, and prayer in the morning. We are confident that Joe is in Heaven joining his parents and sister Evaughn, and likely hard at work on a to-do list for our Heavenly Father. Those who knew Joe best, knew he was first and foremost a family man. He was a dedicated coach for his children who were accomplished runners. He was a noticeable presence at cross country and track meets and had an earned reputation of loudly cheering on his children and their teammates. He made many lifelong friends on the cross country courses and tracks across Michigan. Joe passed away unexpectedly on June 25th. He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Clare. His 5 children, Ann Welch, Jennifer Welch, Jessica (Pete) Uher, Clayton (Katie) Welch, and Brad Andrews, and his 10 grandchildren. His nieces Johnni-Kay (Rob) Smiley, Joy (Barry) Rons, and Jeanene Boswell. As well as his brother in law John Boswell. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Joe's favorite charities. University of Michigan Mott Children's Hospital Wounded Warriors Tunnel to Towers March of Dimes St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Visitation Monday, July 7th from 4 PM until 8 PM, and Tuesday, July 8th from 12 PM until 8 PM at Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home, 46401 Ann Arbor Road West (between Sheldon and Beck) Plymouth. In state Wednesday, July 9th from 10 AM until the 11 AM Funeral Service at Christ the King Catholic Church, 4000 Ave Maria Drive, Ann Arbor. To share a memory, please use the share a memory tab on this webpage.

Joseph Welch

August 5, 1948 - June 25, 2025