James L. Melanson, 64, died Dec. 15 at Academy Manor Nursing Home in Andover with his loving family by his side.
Born in Haverhill, he was the son of the late Joseph L. and Rita M. (Natalino) Melanson. Raised and educated in Haverhill, he was a graduate of Haverhill High School with the class of 1972. Melanson was employed at the former AT&T as a cable assembler and he was a carpenter, building houses throughout the City of Haverhill. He loved fishing and enjoyed spending time on his boat. Melanson was well known in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest catch of a great white shark with a rod and reel, weighing in at over 1000 pounds, caught off the coast of Montauk, N.Y. A devoted father and grandfather, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, watching sports and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his daughters, Dawn M. Chute and her husband David A. of Haverhill, Teresa Gleed of Haverhill, sisters, Kathy L. Bisol and her husband Michael J. of Atkinson, N.H., Laurie A. Grasso and her husband Leonard of Lampassas, Texas, brothers, Gary J. Melanson of Haverhill, Joseph L. Melanson of Seattle, Wash., two grandchildren, Lucas Chute and Bentley Gleed; his former wife and caregiver, Marie Melanson of Haverhill.
Funeral services will be private. Arrangements are by the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St., Haverhill. Donations may be made in his memory to the Joslin Diabetes Center, 145 Rosemary St., Needham, MA 02494.