Neil Ames Welch Jr., known by many as Apple, died on May 20 at Tobey Hospital after a brief and ferocious battle with Covid-19. He was 63.

Neil was born Oct. 5, 1956 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital in Oak Bluffs. As a child, he spent most days with cousins and friends. Neil enjoyed family cookouts and baseball games, large holiday dinners, and playing Little League baseball and basketball with friends. High school brought many more friends which is when he got his nickname, Apple.

Two major accidents, 40 years apart, altered his life. He lived with his mother, Gladys Welch, until October 2016, later moving into his home in Wareham. Over the years he had many jobs. He raked leaves for the Camp Meeting Association, mowed lawns, filled in on jobs where needed, and worked steadily with Gene Bergeron. He would also help people in the neighborhood rake leaves, move something or do just about anything asked of him.

He liked to cook and bake. He would make kale soup and never eat it ­— he just liked to make it. He would also bake cheesecakes, brownies and cakes. It wasn’t unusual to see Neil riding his bicycle delivering his baked goods with a cake carrier balanced on the handlebars. Gene and Bev were often the happy recipients. When a childhood friend’s mother died, Neil baked an applie pie and brought it over. The two friends then reminisced about the old days while eating the apple pie. Neil always had time to help and comfort a friend.

His great sense of humor helped everyone through long waits at the doctor’s office. While waiting for the doctor or nurse, he would say, “Come on Henry or come on Gertrude, I’ve got places to go.” There were never any doctors or nurses named Henry or Gertrude but for some reason those names worked for him.

When Neil was in the hospital his nurse would ask him if he needed anything before she left the room and he’d say, “Yes, I want you to take a break and buy a cup of coffee, I’ll buy.” He loved to flirt and did it well.

He had many struggles that he persevered through. He never complained, always had a kind word and a smile, and took great joy in being helpful to others. Neil was a great guy with kind eyes and a big heart.

He was predeceased by his father, Neil Ames Welch Sr. He is survived by his mother Gladys Combra Welch; his brother Darren Welch and his sister, Diane Welch; and his nephews aunts, uncles, numerous cousins and their families. Family names Combra and deBettencourt say it all.

He will be greatly missed and never forgotten.

A private service will be followed by a celebration of life in the fall.

Donations can be made to the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts (BIA-MA), 30 Lyman Street, Suite 10, Westborough, MA 01581 and the Portuguese American (PA) Club, PO Box 2203, Oak Bluffs, MA 02575.