In loving memory of

Melvin "Mel" Thorpe
March 3, 1937 - December 23, 2010

Melvin (Mel) W. Thorpe, 73, passed away on Dec. 23, 2010 surrounded by his loving family. Born in Pasadena, CA on March 3, 1937, to Melvin Thorpe Sr. and Genevieve Nash. As a child, Mel moved a number of times, living in Seattle, Chicago, Pennsylvania, and Cheshire, CT.

He was a member of Cheshire High School's very first graduating class in 1955 and served as president of the student council. Mel played football, basketball, and baseball during his teens and even scored the first six points (ever) for his high school basketball team. He started work as a paperboy at age 14. While a young man, he worked many jobs, including construction, roofing, with a local veterinarian (including helping show dogs at Madison Square Garden), and as an experimental sheet metal worker for Pratt & Whitney in Connecticut.

He received an associate degree in business from Post College in Waterbury, CT. Then during his late 20s, he worked for Uniroyal, as a salesman, a night manager and in the purchasing office.

He married Ann Elise Schweizer on Aug. 9, 1969, in Waterbury, CT. In 1979, Mel and Ann moved to Issaquah, WA with a new opportunity from the Boeing Company. While at Boeing, Mel working for over 25 years with the commercial aviation purchasing group (seats, airbags, etc) before moving into the LEAN organization working to improve their manufacturing processes, procedures and organizations. He retired in the spring of 2007.

Mel was a member of the Sammamish Club Seniors Tennis Team, U.S.
Tennis Association and Saint Andrew's Building & Property Committee.
He coached Little League baseball, soccer, basketball and football.

He loved tennis (he played almost daily and his team made the regional playoffs in Sun Valley, Ore.), golf, boating, RVing, jet-skiing and cutting his lawn. His family remembers him as an energetic, loving husband and father, always busy and active, keeping up with sports, always there, concerned for people and looking to make you smile.

Mel is survived by his wife Ann, sons Michael, Steven, and Ryan; and daughter Lisa. He was preceded in death by his father Melvin Sr., mother Genevieve and sister Diane.

Tributes

Barbara Gabriel Walcott wrote on Jan 3, 2011:

"I am so sorry to read about Mel's Passing he will be missed by many people including his class mants of the first graduating class of Cheshiore High. He certenly made our last reunion a memerble on Barbara Gabriel Walcott "

Erwin Dressel wrote on Jan 2, 2011:

"At the 50th High School reunion we all met Mel and instantly recognized that killer smile and noticed that warm aura about him. I indicated to Mel, that my wife and I were interested in the Boeing tour. Mel just took charge and made all the arrangements. He made that trip West for us most memorable. We'll not forget you Mel. "

Fred Adkins wrote on Jan 2, 2011:

"Another member of our High School class of 1955 has moved on to greater things. You are, and will always be, greatly missed by all who knew you, here in Cheshire. God speed old friend."

John, Laurel, Mike, Joelle, Miranda, & Shannon wrote on Dec 27, 2010:

"We feel blessed to have had knon you and have you as a part of our lives. You have known our family since Joelle, Miranda, and Shannon were little. It was just 6 weeks ago you were at the wedding of Joelle and Michael. Thank you for being a part of that special day and our lives. Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier. Mother Teresa Lots of Love, -John, Laurel, Miranda, Shannon Laux, and Mike & Joelle Bernstein. "