Joseph Mello

Portsmouth, - Joseph Mello, 84, of 364 Boyds Lane, Portsmouth, died Friday, March 14, 2003, at the Grand Islander Health Care Center, 333 Green End Avenue, Middletown, RI.He was the husband of the late Viola Bento Mello. Born in Warren, RI, on December 3, 1918, he was the son of the late Manuel and Maria Paiva Mello.Mr. Mello was owner of Mellos Farm of Portsmouth, for 54 years, retiring in 1982. He was a member of the Rhode Island Farm Bureau and a Communicant of St. Anthonys Church. He is survived by five sons Joseph Mello Jr. of Little Compton, RI, David Mello of Chandler, AZ, Raymond Mello of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Arthur Mello of Tiverton, RI, and Henry R. Mello of Portsmouth, RI, two daughters Kathleen Mendonsa of Portsmouth, RI, and Dorothy Mello of Portsmouth, RI, one sister Helen Monte of Bristol, RI, 19 Grandchildren, 12 Great Grandchildren, and his companion Dorothy M. Russell of Portsmouth. He was also the father of the late Richard Mello and brother of the late Frank Mello, John Mello, Mary Andrade, Isabelle Costa, and Virginia Mello. His funeral will be held Wednesday, March 19, 2003, at 9:00 AM from the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in St. Anthonys Church, 2836 East Main Road, Portsmouth. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery, Brown?s Lane, Middletown. Donations in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 222 Richmond Street, Suite 200, Providence, RI 02903-4253 or to the Portsmouth Volunteer Fire Department Rescue Wagon Fund, P.O. Box 806, Portsmouth, RI 02871, or to the Visiting Nurse Service of Newport and Bristol Counties, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI, 02871.