Martin Joseph Melia, M.D.

Martin Joseph Melia, M.D., 77, a resident of Andover, MA, passed away on December 11, 2011 at home surrounded by his loving family. Born in Lawrence, MA to the late Edward G. and Kathleen E. (Shannon) Melia, Martin was educated in the local schools of Lawrence and was a graduate of Central Catholic High School. He completed his undergraduate studies at Boston College in 1955 and graduated from Tufts University School of Medicine in 1959. Dr. Melia completed his Rotating Internship (1959-1960) and Residency in Internal Medicine (1960-1963) at St. Elizabeth?s Hospital in Boston, MA. Dr. Melia practiced Internal Medicine in Lawrence until he was called upon to serve his country during the Vietnam War. From April, 1966 to March, 1968, he proudly served as a Captain in the U.S. Army stationed at the U.S. Army Hospital at Fort MacArthur, San Pedro, CA. Following his military service, Dr. Melia returned to Massachusetts to resume his medical practice and moved to Andover in 1968, where he lived for the rest of his life. Throughout his many years of practice, he was a member of the Medical Staff of Holy Family Hospital (formerly known as Bon Secours Hospital), serving as Chief of Medicine for several years, and Lawrence General Hospital. From 1981-1997, Dr. Melia served as the College Physician at Merrimack College and the Attending Physician at the Augustinian Monastery Infirmary at Merrimack College. Additionally, he was a founding member of the Doctors Park in Andover and also a member of Merrimack Valley Internists and Pentucket Medical Associates . He retired from private practice in 2003. From 2005 to 2010, Dr. Melia served as a clinical instructor for Tufts University medical students at Holy Family Hospital, who prized his bedside teaching rounds. In 2010, he received the St. Luke Award from Holy Family Hospital for humanitarianism and excellence in medicine. Dr. Melia was a long time parishioner at St. Augustine Church in Andover where he served as a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and a religious education teacher. He loved to sing and performed locally as a member of the Franco American Chorale based in Lowell, MA. Martin treasured spending time with his family, especially his eight beloved grandchildren. The Melia family would like to express their deepest appreciation to Ossama E. Sakr, M.D. of Northeast Urologic Surgery, Pedro M. Sanz-Altamira, M.D., Ph.D. of Commonwealth Hematology-Oncology, and Steward Home Hospice Care (particularly Maggie and Rosalba) for their compassion and kind and gentle way of caring for Dr. Melia during his illness. Survived by His loving wife of 49 years Frances A.(Mahoney) Melia, His children: Mary Melia Lopez and her husband Felix of Coral Gables, FL, Edward G. Melia and his wife Carlene of Guilford, Conn., Michael T. Melia of Andover, MA., Sean P. Melia and his wife Elizabeth of Ladera Ranch, CA., Timothy F. Melia of Rochester, NH., His eight grandchildren: Daniel, Adriana, and Justin Lopez of Coral Gables, FL., Jillian, Cassandra, and Delaney Melia of Guilford, CT., Cameron and Martin Melia of Buenos Aires, Argentina., Brothers: Edward G. Melia and his wife Jayne of Redondo Beach, CA., Laurence P. Melia and his wife Jane of N. Andover, MA., Robert L. Mason and his wife Doris of Andover, MA., Sister: Margaret M. Kleven of North Andover, MA., Brothers-in-law: Thomas P. Middleton of Andover, MA., Gerald T. Mahoney and his wife Kathleen of Westport, CT., Joseph McManus of Woburn, MA., As well as several nieces and nephews. Dr. Melia was predeceased by his son Martin J. Melia, Jr. and his sisters Mary Frances Middleton and Kathleen E. Melia. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to call on Monday, December 19, 2011 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at St. Augustine Church, 43 Essex Street, Andover, MA. Arrangements are under the direction of John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 35 Merrimack Street, North Andover, MA. For online condolences and other information, please go to www.breenfuneralhome.com. Dr. Melia?s funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Augustine Church in Andover and burial will follow at St. Augustine Cemetery in Andover. Memorial contributions may be made to The Massachusetts Citizens for Life, 529 Main Street, Boston, MA 01420 (tel. 617-242-4199) and to St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Augustine Parish, 43 Essex Street, Andover, MA 01810.