VEAZIE – Vinal J. Welch, soulmate and beloved husband of the late Mary Norma (Sibley) Welch died Feb. 12, 2006, at an Orono healthcare facility. He was born May 11, 1926, in Monson, the son of Floyd and Lottie (Bruce) Welch. Vinal was a graduate of Mattawamkeag High School in 1944 and the University of Maine, Orono in 1950. Vinal was a World War II Navy veteran. His passion for the railroad led to employment by the Erie Railroad from 1950-57 and then to the Bangor & Aroostook Railroad, Houlton, as chief engineer from 1957 until his retirement in 1986, Bangor. He and Norma resided in Houlton for many years where they enjoyed square dancing, hunting, fishing and their camp on East Grand Lake. They resided in Veazie for the past 30 years and enjoyed trips to Florida. Vinal is survived by one niece, Sharon Stover of Milford; two nephews, Harold Sibley and wife, Mabel, of Interlachen, Fla., Gary Sibley and wife, Lillian, of Westfield; one great-nephew, David Larsen and wife, Corina, of Old Town; two great-nieces, Deanna Larsen of Falls Church, Va., Deanna Coburn and husband, Jeremy, of Ponoma Park, Fla.; four great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews, Jake and Landen Sibley, Isabel and Jack Larsen; and two brothers-in-law, Tom Sibley of Kingman and Harold Sibley of Prentiss. A memorial service will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor at a later date.