Of Waltham, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning April 16th, 2014 surrounded by his loving family at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston after a courageous battle with Amyloidosis Disease at the age of 74.
Born on June 12, 1939 in Minturno, Italy; son of the late Natalino and Benedetta (Zinicola) Mele, Tony immigrated to the United States as a young man in 1956 and has been a Waltham resident ever since.
Tony returned to Italy in 1967 to find and marry the love of his life Benita. They were married in Santa Maria Infante, Italy and returned to the United States to raise their family. Throughout Tony's life, family always remained the central focus of his life.
He was employed for years as a mason before furthering his education at Sylvania Institute of Technology and Northeastern University. He was later employed as an Electronic Technician at Hewlett-Packard / Philips Healthcare.
Tony was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. He was an uncomplicated, gentle and kind soul, and took great satisfaction in helping others. In his spare time he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, his long time paesans, and gardening.
Giving of himself and being selfless continued even into Tony's illness hereby donating his liver as a Domino Transplant donor to help save a life of someone else.
His love of life and giving spirit is his legacy that will live on in the hearts and minds of those he touched throughout his life.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years Benedetta "Benita" (Zinicola) Mele, his loving & devoted son Waltham Police Officer Natalino "Nat" Mele and his wife Julia (O'Malley) Mele of Waltham and Benedetto A. "Ben" Mele and his wife Hillary (Rooney) Mele of Wayland, his cherished and adored grandchildren, Antonio, Julia, Alex, Lily, Jillian, Aviana and Brooklyn Mele, his dear sisters-in-law Laura Treglia of Waltham and Onorina Maloney and her husband Greg of Groton. In addition he is survived by many nieces, nephews and numerous friends.
Relatives & Friends are respectfully invited to attend Funeral Services from the Brasco & Sons Memorial Chapel, 773 Moody Street,WALTHAM on Tuesday morning April 22nd at 9:00 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial in celebration of Anthony’s Life at Sacred Heart Church, 311 River Street, Waltham at 10:00 a.m. Committal services will follow at Calvary Cemetery Chapel Mausoleum in Waltham. Visiting Hours will be held at the Funeral Home on Monday April 21st from 3 – 8 p.m. Parking attendants will be on duty.
Flowers are appreciated or expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the Boston University School of Medicine, Amyloid Research Fund, 72 East Concord Street, K-503, Boston, MA 02218.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Anthony "Tony" Mele, please visit our
Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
