Joseph B. Melo

Joseph B. Melo of Stoneham, formerly of Somerville, passed away on Thursday, May 22, 2025. He was 84 years of age. Born on Wednesday, March 12, 1941 in Santa Maria, Azores, Portugal, Joseph was the loving son of the late Manuel Melo and Maria Virginia (Bettencourt) Melo. Joseph was a warm, kind, caring & loyal son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend who will be deeply missed.

Joseph immigrated to the United States in the 1960s. In 1966, he married the love of his life, Laura, in Portugal. He and Laura settled in Somerville, MA where they had two children and lived for many years. In the U.S., he was initially a machinist for American Shoe Machinery Company and then was proudly employed by MIT in the maintenance department for 20 years until he retired. There, he was beloved by many students and staff. In 2010, Joseph moved to Stoneham. He loved fishing, boating, making and fixing things, and his cottage by the ocean in Fairhaven, especially when it was filled with lots of family, laughs, and good Portuguese food. He was incredibly innovative, kind, and had a great sense of humor that was loved by all.

Joseph was the beloved husband of the late Laura (Braga) Melo. He was the devoted father of Maria B. Tully and Peter B. Melo, and father-in-law to James Tully. He was the cherished grandfather (“Vovô”) of Christina Tully and Jessica (Tully) Lyons and her husband Christopher Lyons. Joseph was the doting great grandfather (“Visavô”) of Amelia and Logan Lyons, whom he loved dearly. He was the dear brother of Ines Braga and her late husband Manuel Braga. He was the beloved brother-in-law to Aldora Figueiredo and her late husband Antonio Figueiredo and current husband Nelson Carreiro, Joseph Braga and his wife Maria Gertrudes Braga, and Gabriel Braga. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. 

Funeral from the Barile Family Funeral Home, 482 Main St. (RT 28) STONEHAM Friday, May 30th at 9am followed by a Funeral Mass Celebrating Joseph’ Eternal Life in St Patrick Church, 71 Central St. Stoneham at 10am. Family and friends are cordially invited to gather and share memories with Joseph’s Family on Thursday, May 29th from 4-7pm in the Funeral Home. Parking attendants and elevator are available. Interment Calvary Cemetery, Winchester.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Joseph’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association by referring to the link below.

For more information, www.facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome