SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — It was an emotional morning at the Cathedral Cemetery Chapel as family, friends, fellow soldiers, and the greater Scranton community gathered for the funeral of Major Sergeant Paul Welby, who passed away from cancer last weekend.
The crowd for Welby’s funeral overflowed outside the chapel with folks remembering Welby, not only his service but the person he was to all who met him.
Paul’s cousin, Jennifer, speaks about who Paul was for every person he encountered throughout his lifetime.
“He genuinely cares, he listens, he remembers birthdays, details, pictures of the kids, anything to keep everyone connected,” Jennifer Welby said.
Welby proudly served his country for 19 years as a member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. Those who knew and loved Master Sergeant Welby say he was the type of person who never left a soldier or friend behind.
“Pauly rises, and he brings people with him, and the guard becomes family: backyards, hangouts, dinners, baptisms, kids who call him Uncle Paul. As one of them says, he’s a brother not by blood but by heart,” J. Welby said.
Welby receiving a hero’s sendoff from first responders and servicemen and women who served alongside him during his time in the National Guard and several organizations he was a part of that help support the brave men and women who defend our country.
Following the service, those in attendance paid their final respects to Major Sergeant Welby with a rose being placed next to his remains inside of the chapel
“Every call, every birthday text, every favor, every friendship, every soldier he mentors, every vet he helps, every person Pauly refuses to let feel forgotten,” J. Welby said.
And the people he never forgot will make sure his life and legacy are remembered for as long as they live.