A member of the Greatest Generation. A native of Portland ,OR, the beloved only child of Mary and Hilmer Welin. Growing up in Portland, Ed attended St. Rose grammar school and graduated from Grant High School, class of 1943.
Upon graduation, Ed volunteered for the Army Air Corps and served mainly in the Mariana’s. After being discharged, Ed used his GI Bill and enrolled in Oregon State University and then Northwestern Law School. Ed’s entire law career was spent with Allstate in the claims division.
In 1964, promotions brought him and his young family a transfer from Oregon to the Palo Alto regional office in California. The family took residence in Santa Clara, CA.
Ed was predeceased by his first dear wife, Dolores Leehan Welin, and is survived by their four children, Linda (Mike) Sinyard, Gerry Welin, Franmarie Welin and Julina Colt (Ed, deceased).
In 1972, Ed married his loving wife, Sharon, and became “Dad” to her three young children who also survive him; Lauren (Jim) McGrath, Rhonda (Will) Callen, and Robert (Linda) Hall. This wonderful family of seven children will forever miss him. Ed also leaves behind 15 treasured grandchildren, William, Elizabeth and Emily Callen, Ashley and Christina Cefalu, Caity and Jack Colt, Robert, Jennifer, Marykate and Calimarie Hall, Anthony, Julina and Alyssa Sinyard, and Drew McGrath. Family members: James and Hedda Murphy, Janina Murphy Cynthia (Ben) Tinetti, Joanna and David Gernetzke and all of their families. Aunt Nedra Bachman and many cousins in Portland also survive him.
Ed was a loving and much loved man by his family and friends. He and Sharon enjoyed over 40 incredible years together. He always loved travelling back to Oregon and spending time in Bandon with family and friends. Many wonderful times were also spent in Tahoe at their vacation home.
Sharon and Ed moved to Morgan Hill in 1996 to be closer to family. They both loved it there and he enjoyed hosting big family events, especially on Christmas Eve, which was a tradition for him and Sharon since ther marriage. Our family will always treasure those times.
A family memorial service is pending. Donations may be made in Ed’s memory to the Gilroy Elk’s Lodge, Purple Pig Fund.
