Upon graduation from Duquesne High School, Mel joined the United States Navy because he did not want to follow in his father’s footsteps to work as a butcher, nor did he want to work in the steel mills.
Upon honorable discharge from the Navy, Mel had a greater calling in life; he joined the Los Angeles Police Department and committed himself “To Protect and To Serve” the greater Los Angeles area until he retired.
After retirement, he continued to work as a private investigator and a personal protection specialist to high-profile corporations and celebrities, maintaining dignity, honor, respect and moral values towards family, friends and all.
Mel always said, all the way up to the night before his passing, “The greatest day of my life was August 31, 1969 when I met Leona. It was fate and destiny that brought us together and my life began”. Mel and Leona spent 50 incredible years together in marriage, not only deeply in love with each other, but also sharing that same love with family and friends. One of their favorite sayings to one another is “I love you more than yesterday, but less than tomorrow, and our love will live on.”
Mel had such a strong passion for family and life. He truly loved his family and friends and said he will take a piece of everyone’s heart with him until we all meet again.
Mel was truly a remarkable man. The night before he passed, with what little strength remained, he left 2 heartfelt recorded messages, one to Leona expressing his eternal love for her and the other to the family indicating how honored he was to be accepted into our family.
SHARE OBITUARYSHARE
v.1.11.5