Obituary of William T. Melanson

William T. Melanson Olean, NY William T. Melanson of 1405 Washington St. died Wednesday (July 17, 2002) in Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester after an extended illness. Born October 23, 1942 in Rumford, Maine he was the son of Omer J. and Margaret Keweza Melanson. Mr. Melanson spent his early life in Maine. A 1960 graduate of Rumford High School, he received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering in 1965 from the University of Maine at Orono. While a student there he was a brother of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and worked as a member of the ski patrol at Sugar Loaf Mountain in Maine. Upon graduation from college, Mr. Melanson moved to Olean to take a position at Dresser Rand. In his first years in the Olean area, he met a few noteworthy individuals that would be loyal friends for the rest of his life. Mr. Melanson continued to work for Dresser until his retirement in 1999. Except for a very brief period in Chicago, he continued to live in Olean the rest of his life. The centerpiece of Mr. Melanson's life was his family and friends. He leaves a son, William Jason Melanson (of Columbus, Oh); a daughter, Michelle Renee Melanson (of Williamsville); a sister Mary Ann (Kent) Batcheller (of Bethel, Vt); two nieces, a nephew, and two great nieces; former wife, Joyce Boser Babel; and his dear friend, Susan Franz. Mr. Melanson was an individual of strong faith, integrity and deep conviction. He is best remembered as a man who spent his whole life trying to take care of those he loved. Friends will be received at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home 3128 W. State Rd. Olean on Saturday from 7-9pm and on Sunday from 2-4 & 7-9pm. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Monday (July 22, 2002) at 10:00am in St. Mary of the Angels Church, where Mr. Melanson was a long time member. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to: Sigma Alpha Epsilon, the American Heart Association, St. Mary of the Angels Church or to the March of Dimes.