Melvin Herbert was born born November 11, 1941 on the beautiful island of Montserrat, West Indies to the late Annie Herbert and James Neale. He was an energetic and mischievous boy. He was raised by his grandmother, to late Bella Dee, who he affectionately called Tanti, and his grandfather, Denis Dee,referred to as Dada.
Melvin started his early education at the Methodist Public School in Plymouth, Montserrat and in Cork Hill Village School. He demonstrated that he was going to be a hardworking man while working with a doctor as a gardener. He then migrated to England in 1960, where he met the love of his life. While working on his bus route as a bus conductor, he saw a beautiful woman on her way to church, standing at the bus stop waiting for a bus on the opposite side of the street. He recognized her as the young lady from "back home" who had continuously ignored his "whistling". He was so overwhelmed by her beauty that he jumped off the bus and ran across the street to say hi. He was smitten, and with constant persistence, he eventually won her heart. They fell in love and got married in 1963. Out of that union three children Eudine, Clestine, and Jessel were born, all 5 years apart. Despite the mountains and valleys they encountered, with God leading them, they knew that it was ' til death do us part'. During their union,he decided to give his life to Christ, and was baptized into the Seven-Day Adventist Church on Cartekvowle Road, Sherffield, England. Melvin also decided to further his education by going to college, graduating as a welder, he worked at Brinley's company for many years.
In 1982 the family migrated to the United States of America, Boston,Massachusetts, to be exact,where they became members of the Berea Seventh-Day Adventist Church and served as a deacon for many years. One of his favorite ministries was to go to visit the elderly, the sick, and the shut in with his wife, Edna.
He had a gift for fixing almost anything and worked for Abrams Management Company as a maintenance worker for many years. Melvin loved people and loved to help people, and to them was known as Mr. Fix-It, for any handy-man services; and to the young people he was " Daddy Herbert, because they felt loved and accepted by him. His love for people often made"The Life of the Party"; wherever he was you were sure to find him laughing, joking, or teasing somebody. He also became known as the Ginger Beer and Sorrell King . His other loves or hobbies were listening to Country & Western Music, watching Western Movies, wrestling, cricket, and playing the 'mouth organ' {harmonica}.
In 2000, Melvin had a major heart surgery. He continued to suffer intermittently with cardiac issues, until he succumbed on March 2, 2018.
Melvin leaves to mourn his wife Edna; children Eudine, Clestine, and Jessel{Shauna}; Grandchildren Je-Wan, Ajenae,Jeshaun, also Shaunaje, Alesia, and Rian; Step-mother, Mary Neale; Brothers Joseph,Neale(Joyce) and Franklin Neale(Cherri); Nephews Noel Bridge(Vallie), Elmore Bridge(Jean), Marcus Neale, Franklin Neale Jr, Emmanual Neale, Sylvester Charles(Janice), Mardon Charles(Enid); Nieces Marie Bridge, Ashley Neale, Corliss Sutton(Elvis), Natalie Smalle , Cheryl Smalle, Amanda Smalle, Raquel Smalle; In-laws St. Clair Smalle, Vivian Charles(Hezekiah). Berisford Smalle, (Crystal) and a host of other relatives,friends, and church family. Herbert.
There will be 1 hour of visitation on Sunday, March 18, 2018 in the Berea S.D.A. Church, 108 Seaver Street, Roxbury, at 2 PM. The funeral service will take place immediately after the viewing at 3 PM. Interment will be on Monday March 19 at 10 AM in Oak Lawn Cemetery Roslindale, MA.