2015 -- S 0983

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LC002832

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING SYMPATHY ON THE PASSING OF JOHN S. MELLEKAS

     Introduced By: Senators Paiva Weed, Raptakis, Algiere, Lombardi, and Ciccone

     Date Introduced: June 10, 2015

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of John S.

Mellekas, the beloved husband of fifty-six years to "the love of his life," Martha Tsopelas, and

the devoted father of Vickie Mellekas, Gia and Peter Harrigan, Sofia and John Troy, Stavros and

Kimberly Mellekas, and Peter Mellekas. He was also the very proud grandfather of Michael,

Christina, Andrew, Cameron, Matthew, Julia, Caroline, Susan and Johnny, and a well-respected

longtime resident of the City of Newport; and

     WHEREAS, Born in Newport on June 14, 1933, Mr. Mellekas was the son of Greek

immigrants Stavros and Bessie Mellekas. He was the brother of Ourania Kastritis, Maria

Kosmos, and the late James Mellekas; and

     WHEREAS, After graduating from Rogers High School, Mr. Mellekas attended the

University of Arizona on a football scholarship, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in

Education. Upon graduation, he became the No. 3 draft choice of the Chicago Bears, and

subsequently went on to play professional football in the NFL for the next eight years, playing for

the Chicago Bears from 1956 through 1961, the San Francisco Forty-Niners in 1962, and the

Philadelphia Eagles in 1963; and

     WHEREAS, Upon retiring from football, Mr. Mellekas returned to his hometown of

Newport and became a Physical Education Teacher with the Newport School Department for the

next 35 years, retiring in 1996. In addition, he owned and operated the Kings Row and later the

Odyssey Restaurant with his brother-in-law and brother, and was a commissioner for the Newport

Housing Authority, a former parish council member at St. Spyridon's church, and a member of

the AHEPA; and

     WHEREAS, Very few men have both the drive and immense talent to play football on

the level that Mr. Mellekas did for over a decade, both in college and with the NFL, and over the

years he earned myriad awards and honors recognizing his achievements. In 1976, he was

inducted into the Providence Gridiron Club Hall of Fame, in 1986, he was inducted into the

Hellenic Athletic Hall of Fame, in 2002, he was inducted into the City of Newport Sports Hall of

Fame, and in 2008, he was inducted into the Inaugural Rogers High School Athletic Hall of

Fame. In addition, in 1974, he received Hugh McGowan Award for his contribution to sports and

work with youth of Newport County; and

     WHEREAS, John Mellekas' passing leaves a tremendous void in the hearts of his

beloved family and many friends, and he will be dearly missed; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby offers the family and many friends and admirers of John S. Mellekas sincere condolences

on his passing; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mrs. Martha Mellekas and Family.

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