Douglas Joseph Mello, 82, of Rye and Vero Beach, Fla., passed away peacefully on March 10, after a short illness.
Doug graduated from Boston College in 1965 and went on to a long and successful career at the former New York Telephone Company, now Verizon. He was an accomplished and respected business leader who held numerous senior management positions during his career.
His favorite role, however, was being a coach and mentor to several hundred grateful employees. Doug retired from Verizon in 1999 and continued to stay engaged, serving as a director on many corporate boards in the telecommunications industry.
He also brought his business acumen and experience to many nonprofit organizations.
Doug lost his youngest son Christopher in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. After Chris died, Doug’s primary mission in retirement was to honor Chris’ memory through positive initiatives. His work revolved around impactful grants made to nonprofit organizations through the Retik-Mello Foundation (www.retikmellofoundation.org), named after Chris and his Alta Communications mentor David Retik, who was traveling with Chris on that fateful day.
Doug was also the founder and chairperson of the Christopher Mello Foundation, a nonprofit organization that gives two scholarships annually in Chris’ name to senior football players from Rye and Harrison high schools, awarded each year at “The Game” between the two rival teams.
Doug was born in Fall River, Mass., and was a proud graduate of Durfee High School, class of 1961. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Alice (Ponte) Mello.
Doug is survived by his son, John Douglas (J.D.) Mello, his daughter-in-law, Gina, and his two beloved grandchildren, Jaden, a sophomore at the University of Va., and Jack, a sophomore at Staples High School in Westport, Conn. He is also survived by his wife, Ellen Mooney Mello, of Vero Beach, Fla., and Greenwich, Conn. While separated for many years, Doug and Ellen remained close and devoted friends. He is also survived by his sister, Cheryl (Mello), and her husband, Michael Popolano, of Melbourne, Fla.
Doug was a longtime member of The Apawamis Club and Shenorock Shore Club of Rye and Bent Pine Golf Club of Vero Beach, Fla. His vast circle of friends around the world will miss Doug’s warm personality, friendship, generosity, and quick wit.
Services will be held privately for his family with a planned celebration of Doug’s life at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made online or via check to the Christopher Mello Foundation (chrismellofoundation.com; 66 Milton Road, Unit E31, Rye, New York 10580).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
