John C. Melanson

John C Melanson 88, of South Dennis, MA., passed away on Saturday, August 14, 2021 after a valiant battle against Parkinson's Disease. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Barbara Senese Melanson, his son John A. Melanson of S. Dennis, Mrs. Cynthia Melanson Worrell and her husband Buddy, of RI., Mrs. Maureen Melanson Kessler and her husband Gregory of S. Yarmouth, and predeceased by his beloved son Christopher M. Melanson. John is also survived by his five loving grandchildren, Sarah Halinski-Finizio, Emily Melanson, Matthew Halinski, Alexandria and Caleb Kessler.

John was born in 1933 in Newton, MA. His family moved to California where he went into Boarding School at St. Catherine’s Military School. John then attended public high school in Long Beach, California where he received his diploma at age 17 and enlisted in the United States Air Force. After boot camp he was stationed in Roswell, New Mexico, before being sent to Japan during the Korean Conflict. John remained in Japan for the remainder of his service.

Returning to the United States, John relocated to the Cape where his Father, John W. Melanason had established Melpet Farm, where they bred and trained thoroughbred race horses.

In 1958, after meeting and marrying the “love of his life” Barbara, he moved to New York City. He was then employed by the Union Pacific RR as a Ticket Agent in their Manhattan Office. He met many celebrities in this office. His most memorable being The Three Stooges. During this time, he attended The Traffic Academy where he earned a degree in Transportation which influenced his career forever. His resume included sales in: Railroad, Air Freight, Containerized Steamship space, Trucking and Automobiles. He also managed to slip in some time with a nationwide moving company. He was a “Silver Tongued, true Salesman”.

John had a heart for servitude. He volunteered his time and resources to his community in many ways. He joined the Dennis/Harwich Lions Club in the mid 1990”s where he coordinated and participated in many fundraising events. Over his more than 20 years as a Lion, John served his communities including serving as Lions Club President for a term. John hosted the infamous annual Craft Fair at Melpet Farm every summer. He aided in the building of ramps for disabled people, he participated in the building of the Braille Trail at Johnny Kelly Park and voluntarily drove the blind to appointments, including to and from different states to visit families for the holidays. He cleaned the beaches in preparation for the summer tourists and collected money on “White Cane Day” for Eye Research. John marched in every parade representing The Lion’s Club, well into his 80’s. Among his many awards, John received the highest honor, named for its founder, Melvin Jones. This Fellowship Award is the highest form of recognition and embodies humanitarian acts and ideas consistent with the mission of Lionism.

John was a family-oriented man. He loved his beloved wife for 62 years, along with his children and grandchildren, with all of his heart. He will be missed greatly by those who knew and loved him.