Joseph N. Melanson

GARDNER - Joseph N. Melanson, 84, of 158 Clark St., Gardner, died Friday, August 1, 2008 in the Baldwinville Nursing Home of Baldwinville. He was born in Gardner on August 30, 1923, the son of the late Joseph and Amanda (Melanson) Melanson. Mr. Melanson was a lifelong resident of Gardner, and attended local schools. He served during WWII in the U.S. Air Force as Staff Sergeant with the 532nd Bomb Squad, from 1942 to 1945. He earned several medals, including the Good Conduct Medal, the Air Medal with One Oak Leaf Clusters, and the European African Middle Eastern Theatre Campaign Ribbon with Six Battle Stars. While in the military, Mr. Melanson received a Letter of Commendation from Lieutenant Ira C. Eaker and Prime Minister Winston Churchill that reads: "Convey to all your officers and men my unbounded admiration for the courage and boldness with which they pushed their attacks into enemy targets. I am confident with the ever-growing power of the 8th Air Force, striking alternate blows with the Royal Air Force Bomber Command, we shall together inexorably beat the life out of the industrial Germany. Their success has altered the course of the war and hastened its favorable conclusion." Mr. Melanson formerly owned and operated the J. N. Melanson Construction Company in Gardner, before retiring in 1990. He was a lifetime member of Sacred Heart Church, and the Gardner Lodge of Elks #1426. He enjoyed golfing, yard work, and building wood products including birdhouses. He loved spending time with his family. He leaves his wife of over 48 years, Sophie (Lore) Melanson; two daughters, Christina L. Monfette and her husband Michael of Worcester, Joanna M. LaPrade and her husband Dean of Westminster; two sons, Philip J. Melanson and his wife Nancy of Gardner, and Thomas J. Melanson of Gardner; one sister, Rita Ryan of Gardner; one brother, Clarence Melanson of Brandon, FL; and four grandchildren. He was predeceased by his two brothers, Leonard H. Melanson who died on January 20, 2007, and by Roger J. Melanson who died on November 25, 2003. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in the Sacred Heart Church, 166 Cross St., Gardner. Burial will follow in the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery of Winchendon. Calling hours will be held Monday, August 4, 2008 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the John H. Mack Funeral Home, 91 Vernon St., Gardner. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in his memory to American Cancer Society's, New England Division Office, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701, or Montachusett Veteran's Outreach Center, Inc, 268 Central St., Gardner MA 01440, or the Baldwinville Nursing Home, 51 Hospital Hill Road, P.O. Box 24, Baldwinville, MA 01436. For more information or to sign our online guest book please visit www.mackfuneralhome.com. John H. Mack Funeral Home, 91 Vernon St., Gardner is directing arrangements. $(document).ready(function(){ });