Obituary of Alphonse A. Melfi

Alphonse A. Melfi, 87, formerly of East State Street in Olean, died Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at the Horizon Bay Retirement Facility, Orange City, Florida. Born on June 4, 1922, in Olean, he was a son of Prospero and Rosabetta Melfi. On December 15, 1944 he married Martha J. Copella who predeceased him on February 27, 1993. On November 23, 1996 he married Frances M. Short who survives. He was a graduate of Olean High School, served in the U.S. Navy during the Second World War as an aviation mechanic, and graduated from St. Bonaventure University. Mr. Melfi was employed as a research chemist for area industry including the former Hysol and the former Conap companies. He also was the co-owner and plant manager of the former Olean Electro Plating and Machine Company (presently known as OSM) and finally retired from the U.S. Postal Service after several years. For the past thirteen years, Al and his beloved wife Fran made their home in Deland, Florida and were members of St. Peter Catholic Church, Deland. A patient, gentle man, known for his infectious smile and wonderful sense of humor, Al will be sadly missed by his family and his many friends. Their great comfort is that he is in heaven with his precious Savior. Surviving are four sons, Michael J. of Macedon, NY; Stephen A. (Ann) of Flint, MI; Paul C. of Olean; and Rev. F. Patrick of Salamanca; and three daughters, Mary E. (George) McGovern of Orchard Park, NY; Ann M. Snow of Concord, MA; and Jayne M. Bryant of Vienna, VA; stepsons Michael Short; Neil Short and stepdaughters Maureen Biggers; Liz Lee; Christie Vaccaro; Eileen Brawner; twenty five grandchildren, three great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Al was predeceased by three sisters, Teresa Bianco, Italy, Marianna Patrizi of Olean, and Antoinette White of New Brighton, PA, and one brother, James J. of Lakeland, FL. Friends will be received on Sunday, March 28, 2010 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM in the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home #646 E. State St. Olean. A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, March 29, 2010 at 10:30 AM in St. Mary of the Angels Church. The Rev. F. Patrick Melfi will celebrate. Burial will be in the St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany, NY. There will be a wake service in the funeral home Sunday evening at 5:30 PM.