John B. "Jack" Mellen

John 'Jack' B. Mellen, Jr.
Loving father and grandfather;
U. S. Air Force Veteran of the Korean War Era

POMPANO BEACH, Florida -- John "Jack" B. Mellen Jr., of Pompano Beach, Florida, formerly of Lowell, died September 23, 2012, in Florida, after a brief illness, aged 79 years.

He was the beloved husband of the late Susan (Stinton) Mellen, and the late Phyllis (Hamel) Mellen.

Born in Lowell, September 30, 1932, he was a son of the late John B. and Dorothy (Calnan) Mellen. Jack received his early education in Lowell at the Saint Michael School, and was a graduate of Lowell High School with the Class of 1950. Over the years, he furthered his education, earning an Associate Degree from Broward County Community College in 1979, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1987.

After graduating from high school, Mr. Mellen worked at the former Atlantic Parachute Corporation of Lowell. He enlisted in the U. S. Air Force on August 6, 1952, serving as an Airplane Mechanic in Amarillo, Texas until 1953, and then with the Air Rescue Reconnaissance Unit in Germany until his Honorable discharge on July 27, 1956. He received the National Defense Service Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.

Upon his return from service, he lived and worked in Lowell for a time before moving to Pompano Beach, Florida, where he was employed by the City of Fort Lauderdale as a Civil Engineer for over 35 years.

Mr. Mellen was an accomplished airplane pilot and an avid tennis and golf player. He was a long-time jazz enthusiast who could listen to jazz music around the clock. He enjoyed performing in musical theater productions, singing, painting, photography, karate, and ballroom dancing. He was a past President and a long-standing member of the Air Force Association of Pompano Beach.

He was a devout Catholic who supported and worshiped at a number of Pompano Beach area churches. As a young boy, he was awarded the Boy Scout Ad Altare Dei Medal. Jack was also a proud and devoted member of Alcoholics Anonymous, embracing the Pompano fellowship for over 42 years. Jack was a founding supporter of the House of Hope in Fort Lauderdale, a charitable residential treatment setting for persons with chemical dependency.

Jack always said the best part of achieving sobriety was reconnecting with family, especially his cherished grandchildren, who will always remember the many great vacations spent with their "Grand Dad" at Salisbury Beach.

He is survived by a daughter, Judith A. McVey and her husband C. Peter of North Andover; and two sons, John William Mellen of Leominster, and Jay Patrick Mellen of Massachusetts; four grandchildren, Jessica McVey, Jillian McVey, Jaclynn Jakola, and Jade Mellen; a brother, Robert B. Mellen Sr.; and two nephews, Robert B. Mellen Jr. and Joseph William Mellen, all of Lowell; and many cousins and dear friends.

MELLEN -- In Florida, September 23, 2012. John "Jack" B. Mellen, Jr., of Pompano Beach, Florida, formerly of Lowell, aged 79 years. Friends will be received at the MORSE-BAYLISS FUNERAL HOME, 122 Princeton Blvd., the Highlands neighborhood of Lowell, on Friday from 4 to 8 PM. Mr. Mellen's funeral from the funeral home on Saturday at 8:00 AM, followed by his Funeral Mass at the Immaculate Conception Church (Lower Church) of Lowell at 9:00 AM. Interment in St. Patrick Cemetery.

Funeral Directors, Frederick W. Healy and Walter F. Bayliss, Jr. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit Jack's memorial page at www.morsebaylissfuneralhome.com.