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Ray T. Melillo 1929-2022

NILES — Ray T. Melillo, 92, passed away Friday, May 6, 2022.

He was born Nov. 9, 1929, in Niles, the son of Phillip and Rose Bianco Melillo.

Ray was a 1947 graduate of Niles McKinley High School and a 1956 graduate of Youngstown College with a bachelor’s degree in civil and structural engineering.

He began his career with the Edward J. DeBartolo Corp. and also worked many years with the Cafaro Co., helping design strip plazas and shopping malls throughout the country. He then owned and operated Ray Melillo PE Consulting Engineers from 1984 until his retirement in 1996.

He was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Niles, where he served as an usher for several years at the 7:30 a.m. Sunday Mass, the Niles Lions Club, a founding member of Niles Frontliners, and served on the Niles Park Board.

He enjoyed golfing, swimming, wine making, working around the house, watching Westerns and spending time with his family. He was an avid Ohio State Buckeyes, YSU, Cleveland Browns and Niles McKinley High School fan.

Ray was a United States Air Force veteran of World War II.

His wife, Lois “Jean” Walden Melillo, whom he married Jan. 28, 1955, died Nov. 19, 2017.

He will be sadly missed by a son, Ray Melillo and his wife, Pam, of Poland; two daughters, Vickie Janik and her husband, Ed, of Niles, and Monica Melillo and her fiance, Bill Heasley, of Painsville; a daughter-in-law, Gerri Melillo of Niles; nine grandchildren, Michelle Spano and her husband, Randy, Jillian Havaich and her husband, Cody, Allison Johnson and her husband, Chaz, Vincent Melillo and his wife, Christi, Ross Janik, Celia Melillo, Marissa Melillo, Lauren Melillo and Marco Melillo; nine great-grandchildren, Chaz, Enzo, Nico, Mia, Carmela, Capri, Michael, Harper, Hendrix, and a 10th great-grandchild, a little girl, due in June.

He was preceded in death by a son, Michael Melillo; three brothers, Frank Melillo, William Melillo and Raymond Melillo, who passed in early childhood; and a sister, Angie Soda.

Friends may call 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 12, 2022, at The Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home in Niles. There will be a 6:30 p.m. prayer service at the funeral home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, may 13, 2022, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Niles, preceded by a 10:30 a.m. prayer service at the funeral home.

Burial will be in Niles City Cemetery.

Monetary donations can be made to Warren Family Mission, 155 Tod Ave. NW, Warren, OH 44485.

Arrangements are being handled by The Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home in Niles. Family and friends can visit www.josephrossifuneralhome.com to view this obituary and send condolences to Ray’s family.

(special notice)