Melvin L. Rich Sr.

Mel Rich, Sr. passed away on July 13, 2025 at the age of 99 with his family by his side. He was born in Stamford, CT on May 18, 1926 to the late Joseph and Juliet (DeMilia) Rich. Mel grew up in Shippan, and after skipping a grade in his youth as an accelerated student, was a graduate of the Stamford High School Class of 1943. Upon graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy and he was stationed in Pensacola, FL where he was trained in aerial photography along with gunnery training in torpedo bombers, his musical talents also led him to play in many USO Shows. Upon receiving his Aircrewman's Wings he was assigned duty on the USS Sicily. He was due to deploy overseas as a machine gunner in the turret of a torpedo bomber when the war ended on August 14, 1945, and was then assigned to carrier operations in the Pacific.
Few could coax a song from a piano the way that Mel could. This was no truer than when, as a young sailor waiting on a layover in a Chicago station for the train that would take him to the West Coast, he sat at an old rickety piano. Before long, the quiet night air of the station was filled with the sort of bright, raucous melody- "Boogie Woogie," as he described it- that would "shake the people out of their seats" to dance. A moment of laughter in the midst of a long midnight journey, and a moment of joy in the midst of a world at war. He was a proud member of 'The Greatest Generation,' and so delighted in aviation, that he later earned his private pilot's license and flew for decades.
Following the war, he married the love of his life, Olga (Tasheiko) Rich, and soon became the owner of the Cove Road Texaco station, and later, along with his brother Sonny and father, was the proprietor of Rich's Three Gables, also on Cove Road. As an accomplished pianist himself, Mel brought in star talent to 'The Gables,' featuring celebrated performers of the day, such as Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughn, and The Glenn Miller Band. Later, he grew his entertainment business into Mel Rich Productions based in midtown Manhattan, and produced concerts featuring Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, and Count Basie and His Orchestra, among others.
Mel is survived by his beloved children Mel Rich, Jr., of Greenwich, CT; and Larry Rich and his wife Jill, of Stamford, CT, along with his two cherished grandchildren, who were the 'stars in his Heaven;' Colby Rich, and Brittany (Rich) Hill and her husband Charlie Hill. He is also survived by his beloved sister Dorothy Rich; along with his adoring niece, Wendy Rich (Paul), and three nephews, Alan, Bobby, and George Rich; as well as several great-nieces and nephews; in addition to many close friends, including Larry & Sharon Ruttenberg. Life was full of activity, family gatherings with friends and many adventures, including flying at age 90 with Mel Jr. He was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Olga; his brother, Alphonse (Sonny) Rich, sister-in-law, Ursula (Battinelli) Rich, and niece, Denise (Dede) Rich, along with many longtime friends.
We would also like to express sincere gratitude to the staff at Stamford Hospital and Tanya for their compassionate care.
Family and friends may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral & Crematory on Sunday, August 17, 2025 from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM with a prayer service at 12:30 PM. Interment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Mel's memory to the veteran's charitable organization of your choice. To leave condolences online, please visit the family guestbook, hosted on www.cognetta.com.