Manuel S. Mello, at the age 81, on Sunday, March 13, 2016, following a long illness, passed away peacefully at his home in Somerset, surrounded by his loving family. 'Manny' was the husband of the late Irma S. (Silva) Mello, and a longtime companion of Pamela McMahon.
Born in the village of Agua Retorta, on the island of St. Michael in the Azores, he was the son of the late Manuel Mello and late Mary (Sousa) Mello. After residing in the Azores for 14 years, he immigrated to Fall River in 1948 and was naturalized as a citizen of the United States.
A resident of Somerset since 1959, he was a self-made business man who owned and operated Manuel S. Mello Painting & Decorating Contractor, Co. Inc. for 45 years. He was also the proud owner-operator of Rainbow Paint & Wallpaper in Somerset. Established in 1978, Rainbow became a quick success through Manny's enjoyment and ability to share with the customer his practical knowledge and expertise gained as a contractor.
Manuel was the founder of the Fall River chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and became President of the Massachusetts Chapter of Cystic Fibrosis. He and his wife Irma worked diligently to raise money to help find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis which their son succumbed to in 1981. He was a communicant of St. John of God Church in Somerset.
A proud and a deep loving father and grandfather, his surviving family members include four children; Catherine Cabral and her husband Joseph, Michael Mello and his wife Susan, Christine Dolph and fiancé Steve, and Gary Mello and his wife Cindy, all of Somerset, eleven grandchildren; Christopher Mello(wife Susan) of Easton, MA, Christina Cabral Siri (husband John) of Braintree, MA, Margaret Moniz (husband David) of Dighton, MA, Stephen Dolph of Newton, MA, Colby Cabral of Boston, MA, and Marissa Mello, Elizabeth Dolph, Jessica Mello, Kevin Mello, Julie Mello and Keith Mello, all of Somerset, four great-grandchildren; Chase, Colton, Easton and William, a sister Maria Pereira of Fall River, and many nieces and nephews. Manny was the brother-in-law of Hortense Silvia, Raymond Silva (wife Delight), and Madeline D'Ambrosio (husband John),Gina Mello of Westport,and Gloria Mello, all of Somerset.
He was also the father of the late Manuel Stephen Mello, brother of the late Rose Luz, Robert Mello and Joseph 'Ricky' Mello, and brother-in-law of the late Jose Silva (wife Mae), Mary Ladeira (husband Ernest),John Silvia, Luis Pereira, and Antone Luz.
His Funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday, March 18th, in St. John of God Church, Somerset, followed by his committal at St Patrick Cemetery, Fall River. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Manny's memory to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Massachusetts Rhode Island Chapter, 220 North Main Street Suite 104, Natick, MA 01760.