of Springfield, was Called Peacefully Home on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. He passed into Eternal Life at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in New York, NY, a beloved son of Luz A. Hidalgo of Springfield and the late Joaquin Rodriguez. He was raised in Springfield, graduated from the High School of Commerce in Springfield and was a lifelong Springfield resident. He furthered his education and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from Westfield State University and a Master of Science Degree in Education from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Melvin was employed as the Assistant Dean of the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst for over 20 years. He was a member of the Iota Phi Theta Fraternity and the Alpha Zhi Chapter at Westfield State University. During his leisure time, he enjoyed playing sports, most especially baseball. He was an avid New York Yankees fan and also enjoyed bowling and was proud to have won the bowling league championship. Above all, he loved spending time with his family and his many friends. In addition to his beloved mother, he leaves his two loving brothers, Joaquin Rodriguez and his wife, Haydee, of Brooklyn, NY and Alexis Rodriguez of Springfield; his loving sister, Ary Barletta and her husband, Alexander, of Miami, FL; his eight cherished nephews and nieces, Jason Rodriguez and his wife, Colleen, Joshua Rodriguez and his partner, Chelsea Hearyman, Jillian Cassano, his goddaughter Zhane Perez and her husband, Joshua, Jorge Pagan, Christian Gonzalez, Xavier Gonzalez and Essenza Botta; his seven cherished grand nephews and grand nieces, Davian Fuentes, Armani and Averi Perez, Caleb and Eva Rodriguez, and Paul and Luciano Cassano; and his many dear uncles, aunts, cousins, friends and extended family members. He will also be deeply missed by his beloved canine companion, his Siberian Husky Mariah "Miah" Elizabeth Rodriguez. His family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107. His relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at 10 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church, 40 Waverly Street, Springfield, MA 01107, (please meet directly at the Church). His burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com