John Arthur Melanson

It is with great sadness that our Uncle Art, known also as John Arthur Melanson, 88, passed away on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, in Las Vegas, NV from Lymphoma Cancer. Art was born in Saint John New Brunswick, Canada. He immigrated to the U.S. in 1950, and was naturalized in 1953 and then relocated to Las Vegas, NV in 1956.

He served active duty in the USAF from early 1952 through early 1956 as an aircraft mechanic working on B-56 Bombers with the Strategic Air Command. In Las Vegas Art continued his career as a civilian jet engine mechanic at Nellis AFB in North Las Vegas, retiring in 1984 after 32 years of combined active duty and civilian employment. Following his retirement Art worked part-time for Mercury Blueprint & Supply as well as CM Reprographics.

Art was an avid hockey and softball player. He participated in the Las Vegas Fast Pitch League from 1956 to 1965, and was a Registered USA Amateur Hockey Association Referee from 1970 to 1979. As player/manager of a slow pitch senior team, Art’s teams won the Senior Slow Pitch Softball World Tournament Championships in 1999 and 2004.

Art was an active member of St. Viator Catholic Church, ushering the 10:00am Sunday Mass for 55 years.

He is survived by his loving companion Jeanine Varner, brother Laurie Melanson of Phoenix, AZ, sister Lorraine Hachey of Fitchburg, MA, and 25 Melanson and Robichaud nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Las Vegas Senior Softball Association, P.O. Box 365226, North Las Vegas, NV 89030-9955.

Arrangements under the direction of Palm Downtown Mortuary, Las Vegas, NV.