TAUNTON – Joseph L. Mello, 92, died at his Taunton home on May 20, 2011.
He was the husband of Deolinda “Linda” (Fontes) Mello, to whom he was married for 59 years.
Born in Fall River, he was the son of the late Joseph and Mary (Mercedes) Mello.
Moving to Lakeville as a child, he later graduated from Middleboro High School in 1937.
A U.S. Army Veteran of WW II, he served in India and Burma.
Mr. Mello was employed by the U.S. Postal Service in Middleboro, while also working part-time as a bartender at the Roseland Ballroom in Taunton during the big band years.
Retiring from postal service in 1981, he worked as a real estate agent for Louis Borges Reality of Taunton for several years.
He enjoyed traveling, football, politics, church, a good conversation, singing around house, and spending time with his family.
A communicant of Annunciation of the Lord Church in Taunton, he was a member of Faith Formation, the American Legion Post 64 of Middleboro, and the former Our Lady of Lourdes Holy Name Society.
He was also a recipient of the Marian Medal.
Besides his wife of Taunton, he leaves his children, Cynthia M. Simmons of Taunton and her fiancé Robert Dermody of N. Dighton, and James J. Mello of CA; a brother, Raphael “Ray” Mello and his wife, Pat of Middleboro; a grandson, Jonathan Simmons of Lakewood, WA; two great grandchildren, Siarra Simmons and Raphael Couto, both of New Bedford; a sister-in-law, Mary Texiera of Taunton; a brother-in-law, John Fontes of Taunton; some very dear and special friends he held close to his heart, including Helen Pontes and Karen Cordeiro, both of Taunton; and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Mello was also the brother of the late Alice Perkins, and Lionel, Armand, and Edward Mello.
He is already missed by his four-legged children, Leo, Precious, Ebony, Crystal and Buddy.
His funeral will be held from the Silva Funeral Home, 80 Broadway, Taunton on Thursday, May 26th at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral mass at Annunciation of the Lord Church, Taunton at 10 a.m.
Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery in Taunton.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend.
Calling Hours will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, May 25th from 5 to 8 p.m.
www.silvafuneralhome.com.