Harold Francis Melia, age 90, of West Roxbury, MA, York, ME and formerly of Mission Hill, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2023.
He attended the historic Working Boys Home in Newton, MA taught by the Xaverian Brothers. He went on to excel at Boston’s Mission Church High School, Class of ‘52, where he was the Class President for four years as well as co-captain of the baseball, football, and basketball teams. He was also selected by the All Catholic High School League to play on the All-Star baseball and football teams for three consecutive seasons. As a lifelong Red Sox fan, this All-Star opportunity allowed him to achieve his dream of pitching at Fenway Park while in high school.
During his senior year, he was awarded the first CYO “Youth of the Year,” which recognizes spiritual, social, cultural, and athletic achievement in Massachusetts. After graduating high school, Harry was recruited and played for the St. Louis Cardinals Minor League Baseball Team from 1952-1954.
But Mission Church was where his life truly changed when he met his high school sweetheart, Ann (McGillicuddy) Melia, who became his loving and cherished wife for 66 “glorious” years. They married in 1956 after Harry returned home from Germany, serving in the U.S. Army. They enjoyed a wonderful life raising their three children and making special memories while traveling with family and balancing action-packed sports schedules. Their favorite place to be was York, Maine with their best friends and large extended family.
Harry displayed his extremely strong work ethic as a dedicated employee for the Boston Edison Company for 38 years. His family would lovingly refer to him as “the weatherman” – always calling to warn about winter storms or heavy rains.
As an avid Boston sports fan, he never missed watching a game on TV. He also never turned down a hot meal! His wonderful sense of humor, quick wit, funny comebacks, and easy-going personality left a lasting impression on everyone he met, no matter where he was. He was an eternal optimist and believed in the good in people. He was a true gentleman with a strong Catholic faith who practiced his beliefs while being a dedicated parishioner of St Theresa’s Parish.
His greatest love was his family. In addition to Ann, his loving wife of 66 years, Harry leaves his son Paul (and his wife, Elizabeth), daughter Nancy Monahan and son Brian as well as his eight treasured grandchildren Caitlin (and her husband, Jeff), Michael (and his wife, Lydia), Elizabeth (and her husband, Kris), Nicole, Michelle, Matthew, Rachael, Stephen, and great-granddaughter Nora Rose. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly. All who knew Harry are much better for it, and he will be immensely missed.
Funeral from the William J. Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre Street, West Roxbury, on Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 9 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at Saint Theresa of Avila Church at 10 o’clock. Visiting Hours Wednesday, 3-7 p.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Interment Saint Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to www.MyBrothersKeeper.org (Easton Facility: PO Box 338 in Easton, MA 02356). For directions and guestbook, please visit: www.gormleyfuneral.com