Mathew E. Mello

Newport, RI - Mathew Mello, of Newport, died on February 3, 2009 at Rhode Island Hospital, after a courageous battle with a malignant brain tumor which was diagnosed in 2007. Mat was 36 years old. He leaves his loving wife Gigi (O'Donnell) Mello, his parents Ernie and Maggie Mello of Florida and his brother Andrew also of Florida, his grandparents John and Martha Coather of Birmingham, England and Ernest R. and Josephine Mello, formerly of Ayrault Street, Newport. Born in Birmingham, England, and raised in Middletown, RI, Mat graduated from Middletown High School in 1990 and from Florida State University in 1996 with a BFA. In 1997, Mathew married Gigi O'Donnell, a photographer and employee of the Newport Preservation Society. Mat worked for BMI Technologies in Middletown. Mathew's passions, besides his wife Gigi, were theatre, photography, sailing and computers. He spent much of his free time directing productions of the Newport Children's Theatre. Mathew was a bright, kind and generous man with a witty sense of humor. Friend, Tony Harris, recalls "We shared a love of zany humor like Monty Python sketches, which we'd often act out word-for-word, cracking ourselves up and either entertaining or bewildering the people around us. Mat's grace and positive attitude throughout his illness have been amazing and inspiring. He never lost his sense of humor of his kind spirit." Mathew and Gigi, were true partners whose love and respect for one another, for family and friends were always present. Dana Ohannessian, a dear friend recalls, "My family has been blessed to have Mat's light in our lives for 15 years. I know that with his passing, Mat has been liberated from his illness, is whole again, and knowing Mat, is being surrounded by children and their laughter. Mat was selfless, putting everyone before himself." Friends and family gathered on February 7th at St. Joseph's Church to celebrate Mat's life. The service was followed by a gathering in the church hall where a group of Mat's "theater kids" paid tribute to him by singing "In Remembrance." In lieu of flowers, non-tax deductible donations in Mat's memory may be made payable to the "Mathew Mello Fund" in care of Dana Ohannessian, 81 High Street, Stoneham, MA 02180.