2015 -- H 6295

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LC002833

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING SYMPATHY ON THE PASSING OF JOHN S. MELLEKAS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Abney, Carson, and Ruggiero

     Date Introduced: June 09, 2015

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

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

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

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

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

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longtime resident of the City of Newport; and

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

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

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Kosmos, and the late James Mellekas; and

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

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

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

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

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

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Philadelphia Eagles in 1963; and

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

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

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

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

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

 

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the AHEPA; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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work with youth of Newport County; and

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

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

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     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

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Providence Plantations hereby offers the family and many friends and admirers of John S.

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Mellekas sincere condolences on his passing; and be it further

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

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

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