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FUNERAL HOME

Van Orsdel Funeral & Cremation Services - Kendall

11220 N. Kendall Drive

Miami, Florida

Melvin Strong Obituary

STRONG, MELVIN E., Born on October 12, 1935. Passed away on July 27, 2012. Mel was born in Hollywood, FL. He is survived by his wife Joan of 54 years and three children, Mary (Barrett), Tim, Trisha (Fussell) and 6 grandchildren, Melinda Cabrera, Michelle Fiebeck, Brandon Strong, Eliza, Austin and Chandler Harris and one great-grandchild, Brayden Cabrera. He graduated from Embry Riddle School of Aviation and started his career with Delta Airlines in January 1957. He started as a mechanic for six years and moved up to a pilot and flew the DC8, DC9, DC1001 and retired in 1993 as a Captain on the 727. He was a long time member of St. Timothy's Catholic Church, running the Annual Carnival for over 22 years. He ran the Arts and Craft show to benefit the CCD for six years and was also a Lector and Usher. Everyone was his Friend and he will be missed by all whose lives he touched. A visitation will be held on Wednesday August 1, 2012 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at Van Orsdel Kendall Chapel. A Mass of the Resurrection will be on Thursday August 2, 2012 at 11:00am at St. Timothy Catholic Church.

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Published by Miami Herald from Jul. 29 to Aug. 1, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Melvin Strong

14 Entries

rick martin

May 27, 2018

Melvin and his Brother Roy where my neighbors when I was 9 to 17 years old! Melvin taught me to drive in his 1950 willies jeep. welded the gas tank on my zundap motor bike. they taught me to dive, snorkel, Spearfish,
water ski, fly model airplanes and batt right handed! when Melvin was first learning to fly he and Royal took me on my first plane ride with buster!!! havent seen Mel for sence 1977 but he is Not forgotten

September 23, 2012

Dear Strong Family,
We were so sad to hear the passing of Mel we will keep you in our prayers..God Bless The McGivern Boys Mike, Bobby, John, and Dave)

September 13, 2012

Dear Mrs. Strong, Tim, Mary and family, Just heard of Mr. Strong, passing. We have such wonderful memories of the Strong Family... keeping you all in our prayers. With sympathy, Evelyn Carnes and family

Tony Kaniewski

August 3, 2012

Dear Tim and Family, first my deepest condolences to you and your family. I have the fondest of memories dating back to the late sixties of your Dad as a Coach at St Timothy's. Your team was always a class act as a reflection of your Dad. I remember we always feared playing the "Certified Plumbers" baseball team. Your Dad's smile is something I will always remember and all the good work he did for the Church and all the young Men throughout the years. Your Dad and family have much to be proud of as he certainly made a "difference" in many of our lives. I wish you all the best and all my heartfelt sympathies. Regards, Tony Kaniewski

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August 2, 2012

Joan,

We are so sorry to hear about Mel. Our prayers are with you and your family
Pat & Dan Murphy

August 2, 2012

Dear Joan and Family

So sorry to hear about Mel. Mel always mad you feel extra special when he saw you and always made you laugh. He willl be missed by many. My prayers are with you
Pat Davenprt
Eustis Florida

chris sabin

August 2, 2012

joannie and family
mel was a second father to me when i was up the creek he knew it first. he was the test pilot,air traffic controller, and the crash scene investigator ! of the 49th steet 95th court model airplane intersection airport i built a plane overnight the glue was still soft, and i put the rudder on backwards . we always had to start at the street corner sign as so you had enough lift to clear the sign on the return circle .this plane as soon as it was released it turned in and chase mel all the way to corkers porch . man about every niebor was there and we all including mel had a great laugh. thanx mel u are one of the pillars in the structure of my life. i love you man.. chris sabin orange city , fla.

Butch & Debbie Johnson

August 1, 2012

Joannie & family
I'm so sorry. You know Mel left me with a thousand memories which all made me smile or laugh. I'm so glad that I had the pleasure to have known him. As I've always said, I always thought of Mel like an Uncle. My thoughts & prayers are with all of you. Take care of yourself Joannie.

July 31, 2012

Tim and family,
I have many happy memories of working the carnival with your dad. Know that my prayers are with you all...he really was one of the good guys.
God Bless, Teresa (O'Brien) Pressey

Don Piltz

July 31, 2012

I flew with Mel to Honolulu many times in the '80's on the Tri Star with Delta. He always welcomed me with a huge smile... a genuine smile and that is how I have always remembered Mel. A mild mannered guy who was a pleasure to fly with!

July 31, 2012

With deepest sorrow, I just learned of Mel's passing. Having worked many years with him on the church carnival, it was always a joy to see him strolling the midway. We always knew that everything was under control.
Thinking of him will always bring a smile to my face.

Steve & Carol Lazo

July 31, 2012

Having worked with Mel many times years ago I can tell you that he was a true gentlman always with a smile that will be missed by all who knew him. Don Gerloff, Islamorada, FL

Hugo Vihlen

July 30, 2012

Tim,
I flew with your dad many times and would like you to know it was always a joy to be with Mel. He was the best.

Vicki Nichols

July 30, 2012

Tim,
My deepest sympathy on the passing of your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

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