Richard H. Mellen

Uxbridge- Richard H. Mellen, 85, died Wednesday, June 12, at St. Vincent’s Hospital, due to complications from surgery.  He leaves his loving wife of nearly 58 years, Shirley (Hardy) Mellen,  daughter Bonnie Dryden ,and her husband Scott, of Hopkinton,  four grandchildren; Taylor and Spencer Dryden and Bryanna and Michael Mellen, and daughter-in-law Michelle Methe, of Uxbridge.   Mr. Mellen is predeceased by his son, Michael, in 2011, and his brother, Raymond, in 2006.

Born in Westfield, January 10, 1934, a son of Guy and Beatrice (Hollister) Mellen, Richard was raised in Southwick and graduated from Westfield High School.  Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Army and served in Korea.  After his service, he began a long career in the paper processing industry at Tyco International, where he remained for 24 years, before working at Avery Dennison, in Framingham.  He retired in 2005, after working as the manager in charge of purchasing and logistics at Fortifiber Corp, in Attleboro, since 1995.  He belonged to the Purchasing Management Assoc. and The New England Minority Purchasing Council.  He was also a member of the VFW and Village Congregational Church, in Whitinsville.

Richard enjoyed playing and watching all sports.  He coached Little League and Babe Ruth, enjoyed playing softball until his 40’s, and was a converted Patriots fan from the NY Giants.  However, he remained loyal to the NY Yankees.  He was a long time member of the Whitinsville Golf Club.  Beside his family, golf was his passion. 

Mr. Mellen’s funeral will be Tuesday, June 18, at 11am , in the Carr Funeral Home, 24 Hill St., Whitinsville.  A period of visitation will precede the funeral from 9:30-11.  Burial in Bourne National Cemetery will be held privately, at a later date.  In lieu of flowers and to honor Richard, the family requests donations to be made to Samaritans in memory of their son, Michael, to support suicide prevention work in Massachusetts.  Samaratans, Inc., 41 West St., 4th Floor, Boston, MA  02111 or via samaritanshope.org/donate. 

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