He was born in Bradys Bend, PA on September 11, 1923, the son of Ludwig W. and Virginia (Boltz) Mellish.
He grew up in Pennsylvania and attended Grove City College in Pennsylvania, and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Connecticut.
Mr. Mellish was an Army veteran serving from February 12, 1943 until February 19, 1946, participating in the ASTP Program, and served as a photographer in the Asiatic Pacific Theater.
Mr. Mellish came to Keene in 1964 where he worked for twenty years with The MacMillin Company in Keene as vice-president and structural engineer.
He was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Keene and was very active in various church activities including serving as board president and was also in charge of investment funds at the church. He was also very active within the community as a life member of the Board of the Cheshire Housing Trust; a two-term trustee for the City of Keene Trust Fund; a Granite State Monarchs Board Member; and a two-term chairman and board member with the Keene Housing Authority.
Mr. Mellish loved to sing, singing in church choirs for most of his lifetime. He also was the founding member of the Keene Chorale and sang for many years with a double quartet at the annual Old Homestead Play in Swanzey. He was an avid reader and tennis player, playing tennis up until one year ago. He also enjoyed playing bridge. His favorite pastime however, was that of time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Nancy (Dole) Mellish of Keene, whom he married on June 10, 1946; his children, Virginia M. Watt and her husband, James, of Houston, TX, Sarah A. Mellish of Manchester, MA, E. David Mellish, Jr. and his wife, Martina Baganz of Atascadero, CA; five grandchildren, Tanya Watt Yoo, Alyssa Karotkin, Nigel J.D.M. Watt, Morgan Beganz Mellish, Alexandria Beganz Mellish; three great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn Yoo, Carson Yoo, Ezri Watt; two brothers, Gordon Mellish and his wife, Jeanette, of Clemens, NC, David Mellish and his wife, Mary, of Pittman, NJ; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, William Mellish.
A memorial service and celebration of life will be held Saturday, June 21, 2014 at 3:00 PM in the Unitarian Universalist Church, 69 Washington Street, Keene, NH. There are no public calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Mellish’s memory to the Unitarian Universalist Church, 69 Washington Street, Keene, NH 03431, or to the Cheshire Housing Trust, 39 Central Square, Keene, NH 03431.
The Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene, is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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