Richard Melita

Melita, Richard
ALBANY - Richard Joseph "Dick" Melita passed away, at the age of 80, on June 25, 2025, at Albany Medical Center, in Albany, N.Y.
Dick is survived by his sister, Jeanne (Roger) Kirkpatrick of Jackson, Wyo.; and his brothers, Michael Melita of Albany, N.Y., Douglas Melita of Malta, N.Y., Timothy (Sara) Melita of Slingerlands, N.Y.; and his daughter, Portia Apple (Halley) Melita of Philadelphia, Pa.
Dick came into the world in Passaic, N.J., on February 18, 1945. He was the eldest son of the late Joseph (Giuseppe) J. Melita and the late Josette Yvonne Albert Celine Fitzgerald Melita. The first hands that touched him were those of noted doctor-poet William Carlos Williams.
Dick grew up in a big house in Gloversville, N.Y. He was shorter than most of his classmates, but hit his stride when he started running cross-country and wrestling, where he became team captain in his senior year at Gloversville High School. He then went on to Columbia College, where he took the scenic route thru academia, and received his bachelor's degree in Economics.
Over the years, Dick held many titles including Chemist, analyzing alloys at Pittsburgh Metals; Systems Analyst at Columbia; Adjunct Professor at Alfred University; and Budget Examiner and Director of Information Services for New York State. He loved to drive fast. He once survived a high-speed crash on his motorcycle, and later, in his 60's, bought a BMW M3, which, working with instructors, he raced annually at Lime Rock and Watkins Glen.
Dick was a lifelong activist, in the 1960s marching for Civil Rights, and later working and demonstrating for an end to South African apartheid, for women's rights, racial equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and a free Palestine.
When he got sick, his phone never stopped ringing with texts and calls - a testament to how deeply he was loved by his friends and family.
A memorial gathering for Dick will be held on October 11, from 10-11:30 a.m., at Tebbutt Funeral Home, 633 Central Avenue, in Albany, N.Y. Access is on the Watervliet Avenue side. An opportunity to share stories of Dick's will begin promptly at 11:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the World Central Kitchen, the American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International, or the NAACP.