Andrew Robert Mellas

Brevard - Andrew Robert Mellas, 92, died Aug. 21, 2025, in the home he built. He was born Dec. 12, 1932, to the late Nicolas Andreas Mellas and Dorothea Gertrude Schembs Mellas of Mount Holly, N.J.

He served in the U.S. Army starting in 1953, including two years stationed in Germany, and the Army reserves until 1961. After the Army, he joined the painter's union and worked as a carpenter in Mount Laurel, N.J.

He was an active member of the Masonville Fire Company for 27 years, serving as Chief for over 15 years and Mount Laurel Deputy Fire Marshal for 10 years. When he left the fire company in 1982 to relocate to North Carolina, he was bestowed with the honorary title of Chief Emeritus by his fellow fire company members.

In North Carolina, he worked as a carpenter and home builder. He enjoyed square dancing with his wife and friends, and was a member of Brevard's Southern Squares club for many years. Known as Andy to most and Pop-Pop to his grandchildren, he took great pride in his home and property, and spent many hours mowing his field in front of the red barn on Middlefork Road.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Nicholas Andrew Mellas, Jr. of Vincentown, N.J.; two half brothers, Warren Francis Leary, Jr. of Mount Holly, N.J., and Paul David Leary of Whiting, N.J.; and three sisters, Jean Irene Noden of Hainesport, N.J., Mary Evangeline Mellas Milligan of Mount Holly, N.J., and Virginia Mellas Bateman of Cary, N.C.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Ella May Stout Mellas, three daughters, Sharon Lee Mellas Cunningham (Norman), Andrea Jean Mellas Smith (Rick), and Diana Susan Mellas Rybka (Joe), all of Brevard; six grandchildren, Norman Cunningham (Heidi), Sherri Cunningham (Patrick), Melissa Smith Harrison (Chuck), Joey Rybka (Tara), Tiffany Rybka Morgan (Matthew), and Ryan Smith (Shelly); and eleven great-grandchildren, Erin Cunningham, Skylar Harrison, Kyndall Harrison, Emma Cunningham, Evelyn Rybka, Jacob Morgan, Anslie Harrison, Jameson Rybka, Noah Morgan, Miles Smith, and June Smith.

Memorial donations can be made in Andy's memory to Rosman Fire Rescue, PO Box 188, Rosman, NC 28772.

Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com.

Moody Connolly Funeral Home is caring for the family.