Welles T. Seller, 89, Was Avid Boater, Woodworker

Welles T. (Brud) Seller died peacefully in his home on March 12. He was 89.

Born in Greenfield in 1917, he was the son of Dorothy Wells Seller and Joseph Seller. He was graduated from Deerfield Academy in 1936 and Dartmouth College in 1940. In 1941 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and became a pilot instructor and B-29 pilot. He retired in 1945 as a major.

In 1942 Brud married Ruth Pigeon of Wellesley Hills. After his service in the Army they spent a year in Springfield before moving to Greenfield, where they remained for more than 30 years.

Brud was owner and president of the Sheldon-Lodge Oil Co. of Greenfield. He was active in the community as past president of the Greenfield Kiwanis Club, trustee of the Franklin County Hospital, trustee of the Franklin County Savings Institution and director of the Green River Cemetery Association. He was a long-standing member of the Second Congregational Church and served as deacon.

He and the family were longtime summer residents of Menauhant, East Falmouth, where he served as past commodore of the Menauhant Yacht Club and past governor of the Grace Memorial Chapel. Menauhant was the place where, as a teenager, Brud met his future wife, Ruth. He was an avid boater, sailor, fisherman and woodworker, and he spent his happiest times on his motorboat, the Nike, fishing and cruising on Vineyard Sound and off the coast of Maine.

Upon retirement in 1978, he and Ruth settled full-time in East Falmouth and he became a member of the Rod and Gun Club of Falmouth and of the Waquoit Congregational Church. For years Brud's neighbors and friends relied on him to lend out tools from his extensive shop and to share his expertise on woodworking -- even a repair or two to a piece of furniture or a boat -- and he was always glad to lend a helping hand.

Brud's love of family delighted all who knew him. Ruth Pigeon remained the love of his life for more than 63 years, and they would have celebrated their 64th anniversary May 30. They met as teenagers on Cape Cod and were together from then on. The caring and love Brud showed for Ruth in recent years lives out a dream any couple would hope for.

His children and grandchildren also all had their own special connections with him. Deborah grew to love sailing and she inherited his stamina and strong will. Jane adopted his creative flair and they shared many craft projects together. Jim, like his father, has an eye for life and captures it through his photography. Hallie was the first grandchild and the only girl, and grew to love the ocean and to paint. Eben shared his deep love of hand craft in wood and stone. Wes developed the will to persevere through difficult circumstances, as was so evident in Brud's character. Justin inherited the will of life, freedom and the peace that the ocean offers. Chase inherited his grandfather's love of flying and history and is pursuing a career in aviation.

Brud is survived by his wife, Ruth P. Seller of East Falmouth; two daughters and a son, Deborah Pigeon of Oak Bluffs, Jane S. Smith of West Springfield and James T. Seller of West Tisbury; and five grandchildren, Hallie M. Armer and Eben J. Armer of West Tisbury, Wesley E. Smith of Missoula, Minn., Justin A. Smith of Tampa, Fla., and Chase T. Seller of West Tisbury.

A memorial service will be held at the Grace Memorial Chapel on July 8 at 4 p.m. for both Brud and Judith Brainerd, his beloved sister in law. A reception will follow.

Donations in his memory may be made to Grace Memorial Chapel, c/o Treasurer, P.O. Box 277, East Falmouth, MA 02536.