He was born September 26, 1932 in Winterport, ME the son of Mervin and Grace (Holmes) Morgan. He was a 1950 graduate of Hampden Academy in Hampden, Maine. Melvin went on to attend the University of Maine at Orono where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 1954. Melvin began his military career in ROTC, proudly served our Nation in the United States Army Signal Corps as a Radio Officer during the Korean Conflict and then served in the reserves as a Captain.
For thirty-five years he devoted himself to his work as a Civil Engineer for the Maine State Department of Transportation. He was very hard working and put 100% of himself into his work. He was a lifetime member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and was listed in “Who’s Who in Engineering”. He also was a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge and the Order of the Eastern Star. Mel was an Emeritus member of DeMolay International Supreme Council and was a past Executive Officer of DeMolay in Maine.
In 1990 he married Gladys Johnsen, and the two started their wonderful journey together. He and his wife, Gladys, were members of the United Church of Christ in Keene and the Unitarian Universalist Church in Keene, where they were active in both. Together with Rev. Robert Hamm of the UCC of Keene, they helped to start the Stephen’s Ministry for outreach, and he served as a Deacon for more than fifteen years. He was very proud of his wife and her accomplishments, not only as a professor at Keene State College but also in her work as a Representative in the New Hampshire State House. He was content to cheer and support from the background, never wanting to be in the spotlight and always pushing her to pursue her dreams. He was also a big supporter of his children, always present at their activities and performance events.
Melvin enjoyed being in the moment when spending time with his family and friends. He felt it was important to “practice what you preach” and to always treat others the way you would want to be treated. Compassion, warm-heartedness and unconditional love were his strongest traits, coupled with his ability to always listen, offer advice and counsel, and make anyone feel like the most important person in the world. He loved being a part of activities at the Keene Senior Center: playing Bridge and dancing with the Monadnock Squares. Although the majority of his time was filled with many activities, he took every opportunity he could to travel: visiting many destinations in the United States and throughout Europe. One of his favorites locations was Old Orchard Beach in Maine.
He is survived by his wife Gladys Johnsen of Keene, his son Thomas Morgan of Seattle, WA, his daughter Suzanne (Morgan) Davis and her husband Charles of Folkston, GA, step-son Daniel Hornbacher Johnsen and his wife Valerie of Buckley, WA, step-daughters: Brenda Romanello and her husband Kevin Chambers of Castlerock, CO, Carrie Rubin and her husband Michael of Hudson, OH and Jo’Rinda Johnsen of Keene, NH, grandchildren: Christine, Andrew, Brieann, Kyra, Alec, Jack, Dorian, Devin and Samuel, great-grandchildren: Colin, Evangeline, Ella, Harper and Aria, his sister Frances Bowen and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members. He is predeceased by his first wife and the mother of his children, Loraine (McGraw) Morgan, with whom he shared 32 wonderful years of marriage, his grandson Michael Washburn, his brother Harrison Morgan, and his sister Roberta (Morgan) Lane.
A Celebration of Melvin’s Life will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 69 Washington Street, Keene, NH on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 1pm. Burial will be private and will be held at a later time. Family and friends are invited to call on the family on Friday Evening, January 12, 2018 at 6pm at the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street Keene, NH. There will be a Memorial in honor of his Military Service at the Funeral Home at 6:30pm and a Memorial by the Jerusalem Lodge #104 at 7:15pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the United Church of Christ of Keene, 23 Central Square, Keene, NH. 03431 or to the Unitarian Universalist Church, 69 Washington Street, Keene, NH. 03431.
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