John Mello

John Mello, 90, of South Dartmouth, died on December 20, 2015 at Ocean View Nursing home in NJ. He was the son of the late Mariano and Mary (Fonseca) Mello and the Stepson of the late Elsie Medeiros Mello. He was born in New Bedford and lived there until joining the U.S. Navy in 1943.

John Mello was on convoy during World War II and was in a convoy that left New York in September 1944 and arrived in Plymouth, England 31 days later. The convoy was made up of Harbor tugs and barges and advanced about 96 miles each day.

Upon discharge from the Navy in 1963, he took up residence in Waukegan, IL until 1989 when he returned to New Bedford, MA.
He was a communicant of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. He was formally employed by the US Government at Great Lakes Naval Station.

Mr. Mello was a retired Chief Petty Officer. A U.S. Navy Veteran of 20 years.
He was the recipient of the following medals: Good conduct with Six awards, American Campaign Medal, European/African Theater of Operations Medal, World War II Victory medal, Navy Occupation of Europe Medal, National Defense
Medal and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

Mr. Mello was a member of the Fleet & Reserve Association.

He was the first enlisted man of the Atlantic Fleet Destroyers to attend the
Officers Air Control School at the Glynco Naval Air Station in Brunswick, GA.
He graduated eighth in a class of 12 in April 1956. He completed his High School education while serving in the Navy (GED).

He is survived by his son John R. Mello, his daughter Linda Joan Massinger and her husband Walt Massinger, four Grandchildren: Maria, John A, Christina, Daniel and one Great Grandson, Michael Joseph; all from Pennsylvania.
He is also survived by many cousins in this area.

There will be a graveside service at St. John Cemetery on January 8, 2016 at 12:00 P.M. Burial of his cremains to follow with military honors. Arrangements placed in the care of Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth St. New Bedford, Ma.