Previous Obituary
Melendez, Pedro J.
Pedro J. Melendez (72) of East Haven went to the Lord on Wednesday November 25, 2009 after a long battle with Multiple Myeloma. He was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico on October 19, 1937 to Irene Gonzalez Gonzalez and Carmelo Melendez Robledo. Mr. Melendez leaves his wife, Sandra Taber Cotter of Middletown, his primary caregiver niece Marisol Lopez of East Haven, daughter Elysia Hernandez of Branford, Daughter Daisy Jimenez of New Haven, daughter Evelyn Melendez of parts unknown and sons Norman Melendez of West Haven and Peter Melendez of New Haven. A sister, Lydia Melendez of East Haven, and a brother, Eddie Melendez of New Haven, and several grand children, great grand children, nieces and nephews, also survive him.
Pedro J. Melendez (72) of East Haven went to the Lord on Wednesday November 25, 2009 after a long battle with Multiple Myeloma. He was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico on October 19, 1937 to Irene Gonzalez Gonzalez and Carmelo Melendez Robledo. Mr. Melendez leaves his wife, Sandra Taber Cotter of Middletown, his primary caregiver niece Marisol Lopez of East Haven, daughter Elysia Hernandez of Branford, Daughter Daisy Jimenez of New Haven, daughter Evelyn Melendez of parts unknown and sons Norman Melendez of West Haven and Peter Melendez of New Haven. A sister, Lydia Melendez of East Haven, and a brother, Eddie Melendez of New Haven, and several grand children, great grand children, nieces and nephews, also survive him.
A holder of an AA degree from South Central Community College and BA and MS degrees
from Southern Connecticut State University, Mr. Melendez worked for the State of
Connecticut for 24 years and retired in 1997 as Area 2 Coordinator from the Connecticut
Office of Emergency Management (currently the Department of Emergency Management
and Homeland Security) after 17 years of service prior to his state service, Mr. Melendez
worked as an Assistant Bail Commissioner for the GA6 Judicial District, as a Field
Representative for the New Haven Equal Opportunity Commission, as an Area Coordinator
for New Haven Elderly Services, and as a Bail Bondsman for the Wider City Parish of New
Haven. He also worked at the MB Electronics and Mite Corporation in New Haven.
During the mid 1960's, Mr. Melendez worked as a Field Trainer for the Community Action Institute headed by former New Haven Mayor Frank Logue, with the added responsibility of working as a Community Organizer and supervisor of the Community Progress/Latin Council Hispanic Center. Later, the Latin Council chose Mr. Melendez as Executive Director of the Hispanic Center. While in that position, he worked with Father Joseph O'Dell, Rev. Juan Martinez, Rev, Abraham Marsach, and other Hispanic community leaders to establish Junta for Progressive Action, which is today the longest serving Hispanic community agency in New Haven. As Director of the Hispanic Center, Mr. Melendez also played a major role in the establishment -of Adult Learning Centers, Teacher Exchange Programs and Bi-Lingual Education by working with State and local education officials (Alexander Plante and John Harrington of the State Department of Education and Helen Pinzi and Robert Serafino of the New Haven Education Department. Mr. Melendez was a Nike Missile Crewman in the United States Army from 1955 to 1958. He was honorably discharged in 1962.
The Lupinski Funeral Home, 821 State Street in New Haven is in charge of arrangements. Calling hours are on Friday November 27 from 5-9pm. A Baptist service will take place at 7:00pm. Burial will be private.
Memorial contributions to: CT Hospice, 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, CT 06405. Sign Pedro's guestbook at guestbook at lupinskifuneralhome.com.
During the mid 1960's, Mr. Melendez worked as a Field Trainer for the Community Action Institute headed by former New Haven Mayor Frank Logue, with the added responsibility of working as a Community Organizer and supervisor of the Community Progress/Latin Council Hispanic Center. Later, the Latin Council chose Mr. Melendez as Executive Director of the Hispanic Center. While in that position, he worked with Father Joseph O'Dell, Rev. Juan Martinez, Rev, Abraham Marsach, and other Hispanic community leaders to establish Junta for Progressive Action, which is today the longest serving Hispanic community agency in New Haven. As Director of the Hispanic Center, Mr. Melendez also played a major role in the establishment -of Adult Learning Centers, Teacher Exchange Programs and Bi-Lingual Education by working with State and local education officials (Alexander Plante and John Harrington of the State Department of Education and Helen Pinzi and Robert Serafino of the New Haven Education Department. Mr. Melendez was a Nike Missile Crewman in the United States Army from 1955 to 1958. He was honorably discharged in 1962.
The Lupinski Funeral Home, 821 State Street in New Haven is in charge of arrangements. Calling hours are on Friday November 27 from 5-9pm. A Baptist service will take place at 7:00pm. Burial will be private.
Memorial contributions to: CT Hospice, 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, CT 06405. Sign Pedro's guestbook at guestbook at lupinskifuneralhome.com.