Donald Welton (11 Apr 1934 - 8 May 2025)

It has been a year since we lost dad and not a day goes by when I don't think about him. Every day there is something going on where I think "what would dad do?". I can't believe it has been a year already, where does the time go? My sister and I and our families & friends are so grateful to the Hampshire & Isle of Wight fire & rescue service for their fantastic contribution to the send off and a wonderfully run service by our funeral directors.

I am grateful to everyone who has contributed to the firefighters charity and also for the lovely messages from friends, family & colleagues dad met along the way in his life. We all still miss him terribly and I will be forever grateful for the wonderful life him & mum & my sister Susan provided for me growing up.

Love you pop

A fine Officer and gentleman, who will be sadly missed. He contributed a great deal to ensure an efficient service to both the public and businesses in Hampshire. Rest in Peace.

Jean was my mother and they were so inlove. They are now together again. God bless you don
Love Gary and Sue

To a charming man, much loved by his family and friends

Unfortunately you were not with us very long, but the time you spent here, you joined in many events and social occassions. We all enjoyed listening to your stories and humour. Our thoughts go to Steven and Susan at this sad time.

Our Families have been interlinked since the end of the war. Don ended up owing one of our ships that had been bombed. I grew up in Fratton Road with Eddie & Len Welton.

Some forty or so years ago Don and I became detecting buddies. We must of gone out hundreds of time together - in water and on land. We drove countless miles finding expensive items for people. We both joined the Hampshire Detecting Club, with Don becoming chairman for many years. We were known as the two Dons, Don Juan and Don Two (me). We had so many good times together. I remember vividly when we were set on by a group of yobs at Sally Port in Old Portsmouth and Don lifting two of them clean off the ground and knocking their heads together. Don’t think they did that again in a hurry!

Don was a regular visitor to Widley House Rest Home that I owned and ran with Anne. Don took a shine to Jean, one of my nurses. As time went on Don would arrive just as Jean was clocking off, to take her home to mend her taps etc. Before long I found I was Best Man at Don & Jeans’ wedding.

Here’s to all the wonderful times we had together which were always filled with fun and laughter.

Our thoughts are with Steven & Susan at this sad time.

With all our love

Don & Anne

I didn’t know Don for very long, but I realised
Very quickly what an outstanding man he was,
kind, honourable , stoic , snd brave of
Course, with a wonderful sense of humour.
It’s been an honour to have known him.
So sorry Sue , Steven and family for your great loss.

Thank you Don for keeping in touch with myself and my sisters. It bought us a little closer to our Dad who passed some years ago. I love the stories of you and Dad as children especially the two dinners story! You will be very missed and thought of with great fondness.

What a lovely bloke, great humour, shared 2 worlds, to me, very open minded and contemporary and also old school, as in 'just dig in and get it done'. Steven and Susan sorry for your loss, he has been an inspiration to me on how a dad should be.

Happy Memories Don you will be sadly missed
Sincere condolences to your family and friends Much love 🙏 Helga, Logan, Helena & Ashley Katrina & Dan & Rob xx

In fond memory of dear Don who I have known since early childhood and became his Auntie when I married his Mother's brother in 1957. We kept our friendship up all these years (both born in 1934), Condolences to his son and daughter. I will miss him and our chats and his usual funny birthday cards mostly concerning firemen. RIP.