James V. Melito
...retired from XpedX; 75
TEWKSBURY - James V. Melito Jr., age 75, died Thursday afternoon, Sept. 9, at the Lahey Clinic
Medical Center in Burlington, following an eight month period of declining health. He was the beloved
husband of Nancy A. (Hernon) Melito, with whom he had celebrated a 53rd wedding anniversary this past
June 23rd.
He was born in East Boston, August 15, 1935, a son of the late James V. and Philomena (DeBonis)
Melito, and raised in Roxbury. He enlisted into the U.S. Army, and was honorably discharged because of
a medical issue.
Despite his leg issue, he worked throughout his life as a tractor trailer driver, initially at the Dowd Paper
Company in Woburn, and retired from XpedX in Wilmington. He was a member of the AFL-CIO
Teamsters, Local #504. He was an early enthusiast of scuba diving with fond memories of the waters of
Maui, Hawaii, and enjoyed boating in Massachusetts Bay, especially in Boston harbor. He also enjoyed
camping along the East Coast from Key West to Nova Scotia in the family trailer. He was a member of
the "Dowd Rappers" softball league in his middle years and enjoyed being a weekend chef in Italian cuisine.
He was a member of the St. William's Parish community in Tewksbury.
Besides his wife, he is survived by three children, James D. Melito of Derry, NH, Joseph W. Melito of
Laconia, NH, and Nancy A. Lebeau and her husband Kevin of No. Attleboro; a granddaughter, Ashley A.
Melito of Derry, NH; five brothers and sisters, Jennie DeShazo and her husband Charles of No.
Attleboro, Peter Melito and his wife Jean of Stoughton, Helen Melito of East Boston, Mary Smith and her
husband Raymond of Eliot, ME, Beatrice Hernandes and her husband Mariano of Orlando, FL; many
nieces and nephews, including a special niece, Brenda Arsenault of Easton, MA.
He was also father-in-law of the late Dana (Sheridan) Melito of Derrry, NH, grandfather of the late
Michael F. Limosani, Salem, NH; and brother of the late Domenic Melito of Norton.
His Funeral Mass was celebrated Monday, Sept. 13, in St. William's Church,
Tewksbury. Burial was held Monday afternoon in Riverside Cemetery, Plymouth, NH. Memorials to the Mass Special Olympics, Yawkey Sports Center, 512 Forest St.,
Marlborough, MA 01752, ph. 508 485 0986 or visit specialolympicsma.org