Melvin Earl "Mel" Massa

Melvin "Mel"Earl Massa, 54, 4812 North Road, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., died at 9 a.m. Tuesday (10/19/04) at his home following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Born, Lincoln (7/16/50), to Virginia (Bothwell) Massa and Delbert O. Massa. Attended school in Lincoln and at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He proudly served the U.S. Marine Corps, 1968-70. Semper Fi!

He married Carole Peacock, November 1968. The marriage ended in divorce. They had two children, Tracy and Jason. He married Sallie Wylie on Oct. 2, 1997. He worked for the Lincoln Parks Department, 1970-71. He was employed with the U.S. Postal Service from 1971 until his death. During his time with the postal service he was a letter carrier in Lincoln and Wisconsin Rapids. He also was a vehicle maintenance technician in Lincoln. He worked as a facilitator and later as an area coordinator attached to Chicago and St. Louis for the Employee Involvement Process for the postal serviceand the National Association of Letter Carriers. He was actively involved in his union, holding many positions, including shop steward, branch vice president, legislative liaison and an arbitration advocate. He proudly represented letter carriers from Wisconsin, lobbying Capitol Hill on behalf of their issues.

Mel retired from the Nebraska National Guard after 26 years. He started as a medic with the 24th Medical Air Ambulance Company of the Nebraska National Guard. He had a variety of positions in the company, retiring as a first sergeant in 1996. He was proud of his career with the National Guard and the great people with whom he served. Mel was an excellent marksman and represented Nebraska at national competitions.

Mel became an active member of his adopted community by serving on several committees. He worked with the City Centre Committee to bring the community the Downtown Grand Affair and other events in the downtown. He was honored to work with the labor community to organize the Labor Day Celebrations for the past two years. He thoroughly enjoyed working with the great volunteers on both committees.

Mel loved to travel and meet new people of different cultures. He also loved the outdoors and spent many hours hiking, backpacking, canoeing, kayaking and photographing nature. He also reflected his love of nature in poetry. He collected antique tools and loved military history, studying it avidly. He made award-winning chili.

Survivors: wife, Sallie; children, spouse, Tracy and Gordon Cutshall,Lincoln, Jason Massa, Lincoln; grandson, Zachary Lewis, Lincoln; sister, Emily Hansen, Lincoln; half brother, Dick Kessler,Lincoln; many nieces and nephews; best friend, Kelley Stemper, Lincoln. Preceded in death by parents, one brother and two sisters. His beloved dog, Jessie, misses him greatly. He made many friends and counted them as his extended family.

A celebration of Mel's life will be held at the Y Camp at Lake Nepco, Wis., at 4 p.m. today. He will be cremated. Visitation: 4-7 p.m. today, Taylor Funeral Home, Wisconsin Rapids. Local services: 1 p.m. Wednesday, Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 S. 14th St. Memorials will be used to establish a scholarship fund in his name because he loved to teach.