Michael L. "Mike" Melanson

Michael L. Melanson "Mike", 60, drowned on February 2, 2018 while on vacation in Costa Rica. He was born March 17, 1957 in Salem, MA.

Mike grew up in West Newbury, MA, one of four boys. He graduated from Pentucket Regional High School in W. Newbury. For 25 years, Mike was employed in the service department at McFarland Ford and Portsmouth Ford. He decided to change careers, and worked a short time at The Copy Express learning the copy business. He opened his own business in 2002 in Manchester called The Copy Room which he and his partner, Jeff Church have operated for the past 15 years. Mike has resided in Raymond, NH since 1981 on Onway Lake. His favorite lake hobby was kayaking first thing in the morning. He was also famously known for his antics on his jet boat. Mike was a neighborhood favorite for his humorous personality and his generosity to anyone who needed help. He had a shooting range which was a popular hangout for the neighbors and he had Mike's Garage which was frequently available by anyone he knew with a mechanical problem. Mike also loved motorcycling, muscle cars including his 1969 Ford Mustang and snowmobiling. He was an active member of the Southern NH Trailblazers Snowmobile Club.

Family fondly remembered Mike's favorite saying "Squeeze and Hold".

He was predeceased by his wife, Debra (Locke) Melanson on January 17, 2016.

Mike is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Jamie and Shaun Bilodeau, daughter and son-in-law, Nicole and Jason Brown, son, Justin Melanson, 2 grandsons, Jackson Bilodeau and Jacob Bilodeau, his partner, Joanne Shehan, his mother and companion, Janice P. Melanson and Gil Fitton, his father and companion, Orman R. and Janice Melanson, 3 brothers, Orman J. Melanson, Barry P. Melanson, David L. Melanson, 2 step-children, and the mother of his children, Regina Downing.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Brewitt Funeral Home, Raymond, NH.

A private funeral service will be held for the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to The Southern NH Trailblazers Snowmobile Club at bit.ly/mikemelanson or to Brigham & Woman's Hospital.

For more information, please visit www.brewittfuneralhome.com