Paul Welles, Jr., 87, of Raleigh, died Saturday, March 22, 2008, with his wife of nearly 58 years, Ellen Mordecai Welles, and three of his children at his bedside.

Born in New York City and raised in Lexington, VA, Welles graduated from Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA in 1943. Welles owned several businesses, including the residential summer camp for children, Camp Triton, at Lake Gaston, that he built and operated in the early 70s. He founded Triton Yacht Sales, which is now owned and operated by his son Paul in Oriental, NC. Welles also co-owned, with his wife, Triton Stables, in Raleigh.

As a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Raleigh, Welles taught Sunday school for 15 years and lay read at services. He was an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Raleigh and raced his Flying Scot (with one or two of his children acting as crew) in sailing regattas for many years.

A beloved husband and father, and with his wife, a believer in life-long learning, Welles instilled in his children a passion for education, strong strength of character, and a strong sense of integrity and fairness. He was an avid sailor, a generous, kind, and gentle man and a devoted father. It is felt his greatest legacy is the way he nurtured and championed the development of his children in their various professional pursuits.

He is survived by his wife and six children, Lane Welles Elkin and husband, Barry of Littleton, Elizabeth Galt Welles of Auburn, AL, Ellen Mordecai Welles of Asheville, Paul Welles, III and wife Nancy of Oriental, Shepherd Faison Welles of Raleigh, Jeffery Galt Welles of Brewster, NY and Wellington, FL; four grandchildren, Carl Bilton Hammond, Jr. and wife Rachael, Amanda Lane Hammond, Caroline and Jacqueline Welles; one great grandson, Carter, and one brother, Francis Raymond Welles.

A funeral service was conducted at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, March 26 at Christ Episcopal Church in Raleigh followed by a reception at the church. The family held a private interment later at Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh. The family received friends Tuesday from 6:30-8:30 P.M. at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Raleigh. Memorial contributions may be made to: Christ Church, 120 E. Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27601. Condolences may be made to the family at www.brownwynne.com.