Eugene E. "Gene" Melien

Eugene E. Melien, 85, of Cromwell, beloved husband of Jennie (Fossi) Melien, passed from this life surrounded by family Wednesday (August 21) after a one year battle with cancer. Gene was predeceased by his father, Alfred Melien, and his mother, Mae (Gaffney) Melien, both of Middletown. He was also predeceased by his two beloved brothers, Alfred (Pete) Melien, of East Longmeadow, MA, and Warren H. Melien, of Middletown, CT. Gene was a graduate of the former Woodrow Wilson High School (1946), and the Central Connecticut State University (Associates Degree). Gene proudly served his country in Korea (1948 through 1949) and kept in touch with his army buddies throughout his life. Gene was part of the Korean War Veteran contingent from Connecticut which visited the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C. in 2008. After his service in Korea, Gene married his high school sweetheart, Jennie Fossi, in 1949 and they were married for 63 years. Gene worked as an independent insurance agent at Butler's Insurance of Middletown, and later as a partner in the T.S. Brown Insurance Agency in East Hampton. During this time, Gene was a member of the Middletown Exchange Club, the East Hampton Rotary Club, and taught part-time as a substitute instructor at the Vinal Technical Vocational School in Middletown. He was also a proud member of the Cromwell American Legions Club. Gene had many hobbies, interests, and friends who shared his many interests and travel experiences. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, searching for cars with his brother Warren, and of course his frequent coffee club meetings with his small group of buddies at McDonalds. He coached Little League in Cromwell from 1963 to 1965. Gene and his family enjoyed a lifelong love and many vacations on Cape Cod where shell fishing became his favorite activity during retirement. Gene spent 17 happy years of his retirement enjoying Cape Cod with his wife Jennie where they had many friends who they visited frequently throughout the Cape and Nantucket. After retirement, Gene and Jennie enjoyed traveling to Florida, Hawaii, Alaska, Europe, and Gene's last vacation was the fulfillment of his life long dream of visiting Ireland. Gene is survived by his beloved wife, Jennie (Fossi) Melien of Cromwell, CT, his two loving sons, Peter E. Melien of Chester, CT, and Jeffrey E. Melien of Cromwell, CT. In addition, he is survived by his three beloved grandsons, Andrew P. Melien of New Haven, CT, John E. Melien of Cromwell, CT, and Timothy E. Melien of Greenwich CT. He is also survived by Jeffrey's wife, his daughter-in-law, Nancy E. Melien of Cromwell, CT, who selflessly cared for Gene during the final year of his life, and whom he referred to as his "little angel". He is also survived by his beloved niece, Linda H. Runyon, of Rocky Hill, CT, with whom he enjoyed regular Friday lunches during his retirement, and a nephew, Daniel P. Melien of FL and a niece, Nancy DeSimone of MA.
Calling hours for friends and relatives are Sunday, August 25th, from 2-5pm at the Rose Hill Funeral Home at 580 Elm Street in Rocky Hill, CT, with a celebration of Gene's life to be had at a Mass of Christian burial on Monday, August 26th, at 10am in St. John's Church at 5 St. John Court in Cromwell, where Gene was a parishioner for all of his adult life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pilgrim Manor at 52 Missionary Road in Cromwell. Gene's family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the entire staff of Pilgrim Manor and Middlesex Hospital Home Care and Hospice for the tender, loving care extended to Gene during his final illness. For online condolences, please visit www.saintjohn-cromwell.org.