George W. Mellor Jr.

George W. Mellor Jr., 96, of Wallingford, passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025. He was the beloved husband of Beverly Calza. George was born in Meriden, CT, July 22, 1928, the son of the late George Mellor, Sr. and Esther (Woods) Mellor. George was a lifelong resident of Wallingford. He spent his early years working on family farms and developing a keen understanding and appreciation of the natural world around. him. He graduated from Lyman Hall High School and attended UConn at Storrs until he joined the Marines. He fought in the Korean War, where he rose to the rank of sergeant. Following his discharge, he married Lorraine Dalton and bought acreage and a farmhouse and barn on Durham Road in Wallingford. He worked the land, harvesting trees from his woods, rebuilding their home, and raising Christmas trees, livestock, and a sizable garden to meet the needs of his growing family as well as sell produce to local grocers. George was known by several names: George, Georgie, Bill, Billy, Dad, and Pa. Many knew him from his long successful career at the U.S. Post Office in Wallingford. Others knew him from his amazing array of interests and work. He was an entrepreneur at heart and in practice. Antique dealer and shop owner, Christmas tree farmer, delivery service, hauler, and furniture refinisher and restorer. In reality, George worked for and at anything he could to ensure that his family would prosper. George was one of the most self-reliant people you could meet. If something needed doing, he did it. If something needed fixing, he fixed it. If something needed building, he built it. George's hands and his mind were always busy, usually helping the countless people in his circle who relied on him for assistance, advice, kindness, and humor. He was both frugal and generous, kind and stubborn, practical and optimistic. He was profoundly loyal, and he loved quietly and intensely. He wouldn't say anything bad about anyone and had a remarkable ability to find the silver lining. Children and pets were drawn to him. He had an amazing memory and was well-read and a wonderful storyteller. He was a very strong, sensitive man who really listened, a man who truly enjoyed people, animals, nature, travel, good food, good wine, and single-malt Scotch. George loved life!! George will be sorely missed by his wife of almost 30 years, Beverly Calza; his buddy Paco (his 16-year-old Chihuahua); and his children, Christine Mellor Sirois, George Mellor III and his wife Linda, Bonny Mellor Pappacoda and her husband Nick, and Scott Mellor; his sister, Betsey Mellor Carta and her husband Harold; his grandchildren, Joel Sirois and his wife Tammy, Jean Mellor, Jody Mellor, Andrew Mellor and his wife Marlo, Bryan Mellor, Abbey Rae, Amy Crook, and Jillian Crook; his stepson, Michael McGuire and his wife Maja and their children, Morgan, Michael, Madeleine, Marc; his great-grandchildren, Brendan, Ethan, Josephine, Henry, Kayla, Alana, Madelyn, Maira, and Teagan; and many dear, lifelong friends. George was predeceased by his first wife, Lorraine Dalton Mellor; his daughter, Sandra Mellor; son-in-law Donald Sirois, and his grandsons, John David Horta and Jared Mellor Sirois. Relatives and friends are invited to attend an interment at Center Street Cemetery on Friday, May 2, 2025 at 11:30 am and a funeral service on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 1:30 pm, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 64 N. Main St., Wallingford. A reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, you are invited to donate to the Connecticut Foodshare or the charity of your choice in George's name. Arrangements are under the direction of The Wallingford Funeral Home. www.wallingfordfh.com To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of George, please visit our floral store.