Stoughton – John C. Mello, age 96 formerly of South Dartmouth and New Bedford, passed away on Saturday, May 2, 2015 at Blue Hills Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was the son of the late Mariano and Mary (Fonseca) Mello and the stepson of the late Elsie Medeiros Mello.
He was born in New Bedford and lived there until joining the United States Navy in 1943. Mr. Mello was in a convoy that left New York in September of 1944 and arrived in Plymouth, England 31 days later. The convoy was made up of harbor tugs and barges and advanced about 96 miles each day. Upon discharge from the Navy in 1963 he took up residence in Waukegan, Illinios until 1989 when he returned to New Bedford. He was a communicant of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. He was formerly employed by the US Government at Great Lakes Naval Station. Mr. Mello was a retired Chief Petty Officer and was a US Navy veteran of 20 years.
He was decorated with the following medals: Good Conduct with 6 awards, American Campaign Medal, European/African Theater of Operations Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation of Europe Medal, National Defense Medal and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
Mr. Mello was a member of the Fleet Reserve Associaton and the first enlisted man of the Atlantic Fleet Destroyers to attend the Officers Air Control School at the Glynco Naval Air Station in Brunswick, Georgia graduating in 1956. He was eighth in a class of twelve and completed his high school education while in the Navy.
Survivors include his son, John R. Mello, daughter, Linda Joan Massinger, 3 grandchildren, Maria, John and Daniel as well as many cousins in this area.
Private arrangements placed in the care of Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth St. New Bedford, Ma 02740.