Mr. Joseph M. Melia, 72, of Meredith NH, passed away on Monday April 16, 2012, surrounded by loving family. Born on July 23, 1939 in Methuen MA, he was the son of the late Thomas and Simone (LaPlante) Melia. Joe attended Methuen schools and was a graduate of Central Catholic High School and Northeastern University. He worked for 30 years as a manufacturing manager at GTE Sylvania in Manchester, NH. After retiring from GTE, he enjoyed working as a teaching assistant at the Youth Development Center in Manchester. Joe and his wife Sheila built the house of their dreams on Lake Winnisquam in Meredith and thoroughly enjoyed hosting friends and family through all seasons. Joe loved spending time on his pontoon boat in the summers, cross country skiing across the lake in winter, and hiking the mountains in all seasons.
Beyond life at the lake, Joe shared many years of traveling in the United States and abroad with his wife of 50 years, Sheila, and his sisters and brothers. The lights of Joe's life were his seven grandchildren, Morgan, Timothy, Katie, Elizabeth, Patrick, Andrew, and Kevin. They inspired him and continuously gave him a reason to smile and laugh.
Joe is survived by his wife of 50 years Mary Sheila (Enright) Melia, his daughter Mary Ellen and her husband Peter Spain, his daughter Julie Stickney, his daughter Karen and her husband Steven Crain, and his grandchildren: Morgan, Katie, Elizabeth, Patrick, Andrew, and Kevin. Joe was led to the light in Heaven by his beloved grandson, Timothy.
He was well loved by his sisters Maryan, Marcella, Jane and brothers Thomas, Frank, and Kevin, as well as his brothers and sisters-in-law Carl, Ken, Jim, Mary Jane, Sandy, and Eduardo. Nieces and nephews adored their Uncle Joe.
Joe was predeceased by his brother, Richard, sister Catherine, niece Erin, and most recently by his best friend and brother-in-law Ken Wilson.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to call on Friday, April 20th, 2012 from 2pm to 6pm at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 122 Amesbury Street Lawrence, MA. For directions and online condolences please go to www.breenfuneralhome.com. His funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 21st, 2012 at 10am at the Saints Mary and Joseph Parish, Mary Queen of Peace Church in Salem, NH. His burial will follow in the Elmwood Cemetery in Methuen, MA.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Central NH VNA & Hospice, 780 North Main Street, Laconia, NH 03246.