Richard "Richie" Melanson

Richie grew up at “Number 1 Friend Street” in Salem Massachusetts. The family in that little home included his Dad, Elzie, Mom, Lizzie, his 10 brothers and sisters, along with Lizzie’s Dad and Mom. The kids all spent their childhood as a “good” Irish (& French) Catholic family and playing at Mack Park, literally across the road. They were, and remained throughout their lives, a tight-knit close family including an extended “family” of friends. Lizzie was known to espouse the phrase “Lips that touch liquor, will never touch mine.” “good” being a relative term – the boys were known to get into a bit of trouble now and then. Richie got picked up by the police at home on Thanksgiving for being a “look-out.” They let him go after he confessed. He was 7 at the time. Richie enlisted in the USN for service in WWII at the age of 17. His 4 older brothers were already serving and Richie convinced his Mom to lie and say he was 18. Thankfully, all 5 brothers returned home safely. He met Eileen, his wife of 65 years (we lost her in 2013) at Salem High, and told her he would be back for her after the war. Richie had been stationed for a short time in Long Beach and had friends there. So upon returning home, Richie told his family, “I’m done with this weather” and told Eileen that he would send for her. Richie and Eileen would go on to have 5 children, Dave, Pattie, Debbie, Mary and Kara and raise them all in their lifelong home in Long Beach. Richie proudly has 11 grandchildren, 1 great grandson, and 2 great granddaughters on the way, who he was very excited to meet. He has many loving nieces, nephews, grands and greats and some wonderful cousins as well. He initially worked as a Milkman for Rockview doing deliveries. Many a Saturday, whoever was delivering the milk to the house would end up staying for breakfast. Richie went on to work for Simon Levi, first doing route deliveries and then as the Warehouse Manager. He only stopped working in his 70’s when they moved from Carson to Chino. There was no way he was going to do that commute! Richie was a lifelong sports enthusiast. He was a golfer for years and subjected us all to watching golf on TV as well. But it wasn’t just golf, he watched football, basketball and baseball, as he was a dedicated Red Sox fan. Go Boston! A few days before he passed, we heard him yell and asked if he was okay. His reply – “Yeah, I’m watching the game!” Richie joined AA 48 plus years ago. He embraced the program along with the family and friends he gained from that amazing group of people. (We kids got the benefit of those ties as well. So many of Dad’s “AA people” were, and are family to us.) Richie was a kind and understanding supporter, got “real” when it was needed. A friend in the program used the word inspiration to describe his friend Rich. Richard, Richie, Rich was a son, brother, cousin, uncle, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, colleague, and friend. To say he will be missed is an understatement of the greatest proportion. In lieu of flowers, we would like to suggest making a donation of your choice that would best honor Richie's memory. Both Richie and Eileen, our Dad and Mom, experienced cardiac health issues, the American Heart Association is one suggestion. Richie was a dedicated member of the Intercity Fellowship Hall (5881 Cherry Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90805) throughout his years in AA. A plaque is being installed to honor his memory. They are a non-profit organization. Any donation would be welcome. Thank you. Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401