Obituary of Roger Melanson

Roger S. Melanson, a resident of Woburn for 57 years, passed away at the Woodbriar of Wilmington Nursing home on Thursday evening, October 13, 2011. The beloved husband of 58 years of Dorothy A. (Jackson) he was 85 years old. Roger was born, raised and educated in Malden. He was a graduate of Malden High School. Roger went on to graduate from Wake Forest College in Wake Forest, N.C. with a Bachelor's Degree. While in college he was a member of the Varsity Football Team. Roger was a Veteran of World War II serving his country in the United States Marine Corps as an Aviation Ordinance Mechanic. Roger had a successful career as a Senior Buyer working for MIT Lincoln Labs in Lexington for over 35 years. Roger was a member of the United Methodist Church in Woburn for many years where he was a very active member. He participated in many of their programs and activities throughout the years. Roger believed in helping others and he was a member of an outreach program that visited inmates in prison for over 15 years. After that, he headed a Mental Health Social Group that met at the Church and attended many activities for several years. He was also a member of the Richard C McLarin Masonic Lodge in Cambridge and was honored for 50 years as a mason. Roger had a full and active life. He was a talented craftsman and built an addition onto his home, as well as a separate garage. He was an avid golfer. As a child he attended caddie camp with his brothers up in the Balsams in NH. He was a member of the Woburn Country Club and belonged to a league in Beverly. While at Wake Forest, Roger attended college with Arnold Palmer. Roger was an avid Boston sports fan most especially the Patriots and the Red Sox. He enjoyed walking, swimming and vacationing with his family at Newfound Lake in New Hampshire. Roger took an early retirement from MIT. He enjoyed his retirement years. He and Dorothy took frequent trips to Las Vegas. One year, they even rented a motor home with his sister and brother in law and they traveled cross country for two weeks. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren and his home especially his granddogs and grandcats. Roger and Dorothy had just celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary in September. Roger will be very sadly missed by his family and friends, but he has touched their hearts forever. He will always be with them in their hearts and in their many wonderful memories of him. Roger was the beloved husband of 58 years of Dorothy (Jackson). He was the devoted father of Richard & his wife Donna of Whitman, Susan McMahon & her husband Patrick of Westford, Donald & his wife Laurie of Hudson, NH, and Penny Melanson of Billerica. He was the brother of the late Francis, Harold & Janet Melanson. Roger was the devoted grandfather of Matthew Melanson & his wife Annie, Michael McMahon & his wife Christine, David McMahon, Kelley McMahon, and Heather, Ashley, Lindsay & Ian Melanson. Funeral Services will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 11 a.m. Visiting hours Monday 4-8 p.m. Interment in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. Memorials in Roger’s name may be made to a charity of your own choice. UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN My father, my hero, my protector, my friend. I can't believe your life has come to this end. . Cancer has taken the man that we knew... . A Veteran ... a Marine ... one of the proud and the few. . You devoted your life to your kids and your wife. . And worked hard to give us a wonderful life. . You taught us life's lessons... taught us right from wrong, . And you and Mom made our house a loving home. . There's nothing quite like a father's love. . It's strong and it's silent, like from God above. . It's steady and true and it's always there. . You did so many little things to show how much you care. . You were there for us always, throughout all our days. . You show your love and devotion in so many ways. . A nod or a hug or your big, proud smile. Or a nice conversation that would last quite a while. . As I grew older and became more mature, . I sure learned to appreciate you and Mom more. . The sacrifices you made for all of us kids ... . I hope you know, we appreciate all you did. . And now we have to let you go, we have to say goodbye. . Why you had to suffer so, we never will know why. . So from your loving wife and kids, your family and friends, . We say a sad goodbye for now, until we meet again. . Penny A. Melanson . . 12/01/2008 Mom & Dad You’ve always been there Through thick and thin Good times and trials Losses and wins “Thank you” just doesn’t seem enough And now, when you are having it rough We hope you know how much we care Our lives are rich - beyond compare Because you two are in our lives You “raised us right” through trying times We’ll try to “pay you back in kind” But never could – in our minds You know we’re just a call away Reach out to us – night or day We’ll be there for you, any way we can Even just to hold YOUR hand In times of joy or times of woe With the help of GOD, it ALL, we’ll weather Even If we be apart – we’ll always be together Christmas 2010 I thank the Lord for all He’s done Allowing me to be your son Knowing “we” are lost in sin He still invites us to “Come In” He is our Loving Father true Despite that, if not for you I know not - the man I’d be For you have giv’n the world for me I owe you both my very life On top of that you’ve blessed my wife By all you both have ever done I am so proud to be your son My children too, know your grace You both hold such a special place In all our hearts and in our souls Our deepest love for your roles Your examples of how to live Are such a Blessing to give You gave your all You always did Our days are numbered we are told We waste precious time as we grow old We hope you know all of our love And GOD’s “blessings” from above Tomorrow’s not certain for even one But we can lean on HIS precious SON HE gave HIS life, erased our sin Today in a manger HE entered in OUR DAD Loving. Devoted. Patient. Gentle. Kind. Always there. FAIR! These are just a few of the ways to describe our Dad. We have been lucky enough to have had him all these years - but, it never seems like enough time. You are never ready to lose your dad. We have all been fortunate to have such a wonderful role model. We reflect on our lives at this sad time, and realize how we were influenced by the fairness, the continued support and his willingness to always be there for us for all these years. From teaching us just so many things - swimming, water-skiing, diving, maintaining our cars, carpentry and handyman skills to stay with us for the future when we all went out and lived our own lives. Not every dad would take the time to care enough to want us to become good-living and caring people ourselves. Thank you Dad. All these years he was there. Looking through the many photos to put together the video and the collages for today, we realized just HOW he was ALWAYS there. So many pictures . . . so many wonderful smiles . . . so many times he had a baby or toddler on his lap, smiling and sometimes feeding that child OR being fed a cookie by one of his adorable grandkids. He instilled in me to follow through on a dream . . . I had a design idea and wanted to have it patented. Dad had many great ideas, said he wished he patented a few of them because he then saw someone had gone ahead with his idea and done the patent. He wished for me that I would follow through with this, and with his sincere encouragement ( encouragement that he gave to each and everyone of us throughout our lives ), I went and followed my dream. Thank you Dad. Going from Dad protecting me and guiding me as a child, through young adulthood, then becoming a mom myself and instilling values in my children that I got from him, to then having things turn around and suddenly I am his advocate . . . responsible for his health and life care decisions. Sometimes you don't realize how very precious life is until you see someone you love fighting for theirs. Dad, thank you for all you were, all you did for all of us, all your wonderful praise and love. We will think of you and miss you every day. We are grateful you are now out of pain and up in a better place. Rest in peace and know we love you always. Lovingly written by Sue Melanson McMahon for Our Dad, Roger Melanson