Wellar T. Wellington

Wellar Thomas Wellington, 96, passed away peacefully at Chase Memorial Nursing Home in New Berlin on March 31, 2020.

Born on August 9, 1923, in Rockaway Township, NJ, Wellar was the son of William and Mary (Watters) Wellington. Wellar first worked on the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad before being called upon to serve our country for the US Army during World War II. He served as an MP in the US and Puerto Rico, and in the Pacific Theater in the Philippines and in post-surrender Japan. After being honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant and returning home, Wellar married his high school sweetheart, Janet Spencer, who predeceased Wellar in 2012. Wellar returned to the D L &W Railroad, and eventually joined the Northeast NJ Carpenter’s Union, of which he was a member for 72 years. He worked in building construction daily, and built many, many homes for family and friends in the North Jersey area as a secondary business.

Wellar was also involved in numerous local events and organizations, and volunteered extensively well into his retirement. He also had expertise in the art of stained glass, and many North Jersey churches benefited from his skill. In addition to offering his many talents, Wellar was also a member of American Legion Post 344 for 68 years, as well as Acacia Masonic Lodge No. 20, for 59 years, having served as a Past Master.

Wellar is survived by his daughter Nancy Smietana, of Norwich; his son Neil Wellington, of Chicago, IL; grandchildren Jayson (Beth) Smietana, of Las Vegas, NV, Dustin (Jenn) Smietana, of Norwich; four great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He was predeceased by both of his siblings, W. Robert Wellington of Springfield, MO and Grace W. Carlson, of Randolph, NJ.

A graveside service for Wellar will be held at Locust Hill Cemetery, in Dover, NJ, at a later date.

Contributions in Wellar’s memory may be made to Waterloo United Methodist Church, PO Box 416, Stanhope, NJ 07874.