Rich Melvin

Harry “Rich” Melvin, of Franklin Park and formerly of Bellevue Borough, born in February of 1953, passed away on Tuesday, May 7th, after a hard-fought battle against cancer. He is survived by his wife and best friend, Cindy Melvin (née DiBenedetto). He is also survived by his two sons, Jason Melvin (Amanda) & Joseph Melvin (Jessica) and his daughter Jen Melvin (Brian Schumacher) and his three grandchildren Leah, Jacob and Maren.

Numbered among those Rich loved and who loved him are his surviving brothers: Rich Ellis (Judy) and Jody Ellis (Wendy), his incredible sisters-in-law and their families – Elissa Lang (Denny Onderick), Mary Lou O’Connell (Pete), Amy Madler (Garry) and Linda & Ali DiBenedetto and their families.

Rich attended North Allegheny and graduated 1971. He was employed at AT&T for over 20 years before retiring.

Beyond being the best husband, father and pap, Rich had a passion for helping others that was contagious. He deeply instilled his beliefs to his family & friends, that by helping one another, there isn’t anything that can’t be achieved. He enjoyed spending his time playing cards with his family, watching hockey with his grandson - Jacob, football and making his family laugh and smile. He enjoyed talking with fellow chemotherapy patients during his time in treatment.

In the early nineties, he & his wife, Cindy, co-founded BAGAA (Bellevue Avalon Girls Athletic Association) with Bob & Linda Loch, Angelo & Maryanne Papalia, Rich LeViere and Joe Moore. He coached the girls’ teams and taught them the value of team work and practice, while his wife ran a concession stand during the games to raise money for uniforms, referees, etc.

Rich lived his life putting his family first. It is fitting that he spent his last few weeks surrounded by those he loved and that loved him. He and his family are so incredibly thankful to have had such wonderful and kind people taking care of him at UPMC Passavant during his last days, with special recognition for Emily, Jax, Michelle, Kim, Ian, Lily, Peyton, Wes, Jess, Carl, Martin, Maria, Maddy, Melissa, Danni, Rebecca Tom, Kevin, Ralph and Eric.

Family and friends will be received on Thursday, May 9th at Brandt’s Funeral Home, 1032 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 from 2 pm – 8 pm. Rich will be buried on May 10th at Christ the Redeemer Cemetery (formerly, Northside Catholic). The procession will begin organizing at Brandt Funeral Home at 10:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the UPMC Passavant Cancer Center. https://hillman.upmc.com/difference/supporting/make-a-gift Please be sure to designate that the funding go to UPMC Passavant’s Cancer Center.