Joseph C. Mello

Gloucester - Joseph C. Mello died peacefully on October 12, by his beloved wife, Donna's side. He was born September 17, 1932, son of the late Manuel C. Mello and Lucy C. Damon.
Joe worked for many years on the Gloucester waterfront as a longshoreman with Elliot Stevedoring. As a teenager, he fished out of Gloucester and once spent four days adrift aboard the Roma III before being rescued by the Coast Guard.
Drafted into the U.S. Army in the early 1950s, Joe served in Alaska after training at Fort Dix, New Jersey. While on leave, he married his teenage sweetheart, Donna, in June 1953, their song was "Too Young" by Nat King Cole.
In the 1960s, Joe and Donna began collecting old bottles in Dogtown, which led to a shared passion for antiques and a small business they ran together. Joe loved nature and animals and was affectionately known as "Nature Boy".
Joseph is survived by his wife, Donna Mello; one daughter Jo-Ann, son Scott; four grandchildren, Miranda, Shawn, Marie and Jackie; eight great grandchildren, including Disa who he shared many special memories with. He is predeceased by his parents; one brother, Manuel A. Mello; one sister, Lucy A. Mello; two half-brothers, Walter "Sonny" Manger and William K. Manger Jr.
Joseph's wife, daughter and family would like to express their deep gratitude to Josie Cary and staff at Seacoast Nursing for their kindness, compassion and dedicated care they provided for Joe. They would also like to thank the caring staff at Care Dimensions who provided tremendous comfort to Joe.
Services for Joseph are private. Contributions may be made in Joseph's memory to the Dementia Society of America. Arrangements by the Campbell Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester. Condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.