Gary Richard Melanson

Gary Richard Melanson, 70, of Littleton died suddenly at home on Monday, September 16. He was born September 25, 1953, in Rumford, Maine, the son of Richard and Hilda (Conley) Melanson. He was a 1971 graduate of Mexico High School. While at Mexico High School, he was an athlete who enjoyed varsity skiing and varsity football.   He continued his education by attending Independent Study–University of Maine- Farmington:  Stuttgart, West Germany 1972-1973—Independent Study on Pollution/German School Systems and received his Bachelor of Science Degree-Secondary English from the University of Maine-Farmington in 1975.  Gary was a member of The Kappa Delta Phi Fraternity and played Varsity Baseball for UMF–Pitcher. He was married July 19, 1980, to Joanne Carolynn Smith at St. Athanasius/St. John’s Church in Rumford, Maine.

Gary took pride in being an English teacher and Coach. He worked at Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation Dunseith, North Dakota 1976-1977, Counselor at Half-Way House, Coached Football, Basketball, Baseball and was the Director of Summer Baseball programs.  He taught English at Mexico High School from 1978-1982, Lisbon Regional High School 1982-1984, Littleton High School 1984-2017, North Country Charter Academy 2017-2023.  

He was a Varsity Football Coach at Mexico High School, Varsity Basketball Girls Coach at Lisbon, Asst. Football Coach, JV Softball Coach Littleton High School and Class Advisor for LHS Class of 2010.   Gary was involved with the School Exchange Programs at Littleton High School with Project Harmony in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Krasnoyarsk, Russia.  He was also a coach with People to People Sports Ambassadors Baseball/

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.  With the love of coaching, Gary coached the Berlin Gladiators Football/Independent Football League of New England/Defensive Head Coach.  Volunteering, Gary was a contributor to Father Flanagan’s Boys Home/Omaha Nebraska.

Gary was a great supporter of animal welfare, children, education, and the environment. His greatest pleasures in life were Teaching and Coaching Students, attending The Baltimore Ravens Football Games with his son, Greg, and taking drives to Rangely, Maine.  Coaching with Gary Boyle was another highlight of his life with The Knight’s Little League Baseball, Little League All Star Baseball, Youth Soccer, Middle School Baseball and Soccer.   He participated in Fantasy Football and played softball for Porfido’s Softball Team. 

He was a dedicated husband and father. He had the ability to light up a Classroom to work with and engage ALL students. Gary was predeceased by his mother, Hilda Rose Conley Melanson in 1988.

He is survived by his wife Joanne Smith Melanson, his son Gregory William Melanson.  Parents:  Richard Melanson (Julie), Debra Melanson Drake (David), Jody Melanson Gallant (Timothy), Richard Melanson (Cathy), along with several nieces and nephews and three step-sisters:  Michelle Provencher, Tammy Belyea and Samantha Belyea.  Adopted family:  Nicholas and Bertha Kelley of Rumford, Maine.

A friends and family gathering will be held on Friday, September 27, from 1 – 4 PM, at the Ross Funeral Home, Littleton, with a service at 4PM with Father Ryan Amazeen officiating. Memorial Donations:  Friends of Remich Park, P.O Box 426, Littleton, NH, 03561 and The Second Chance Animal Shelter, 1517 Meadow Street, Littleton, NH

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