Dale James Melanson
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Published on August 3, 2023
Dale J. Melanson of Plymouth, formerly of Duxbury, died peacefully with the love of his family at his side after his courageous battle with ALS. He is the beloved husband of Colleen P (Maddock) Melanson. Dale was born in Needham, MA on March 6, 1965, son of the late James H. and Rita C. (Deveau) Melanson. Dale was a graduate of Duxbury High School and went on the join the US Air Force, serving as a Master Sgt. with the 102nd Civil Engineer Division for 28 years. He volunteered with the Pan-Mass Challenge for 27 years, where he and his fellow volunteers supported the cyclists by making sure they had a hot shower at the finish line. He joined the Plymouth Fire Department working out of Station 3 in the Pine Hills where he was a member of the dive team and continued with the fire department for 18 years until his illness forced his retirement in June of 2022.
Dale could be counted on to be the first to show up and the last to leave whenever there was a crisis or a celebration. A jack of all trades and a skilled mechanic, he worked with Fred Nava and Son, Inc, Quintals Produce, New England Tree Works and Spillane’s Nursery. Dale loved to be outdoors where he could be found on a snowmobile in the winter, a jet ski in the summer or his Harley the rest of the time. Usually with his wife of 30 years, Colleen, riding by his side and holding on tight.
Fighting fires, turning wrenches, cutting trees, plowing snow, volunteering at the kids’ schools and guard weekends were nothing compared to his favorite job, trying to keep pace with his bubbly, effervescent Colleen. They were a pair for the ages, perfectly matched for the joy they made together and brought to so many others. Dale was a mountain of a man that worked hard, loved hard, played hard and served his community, friends and family with kindness and humility from beginning to end.
Besides his loving wife Colleen, he leaves behind his sons, Brenden J. Melanson of Laconia, NH and Andrew J. Melanson of Plympton, MA. His sister, Lynne Meyer and her husband Don and his nephew, Corey Meyer and his wife Amy of Hull, MA.
Visiting hours in the Cartmell-Davis Life Celebration Funeral Home, 373 Court Steet North Plymouth (near Cordage Park) on Wednesday August 9th from 4-8 pm. Funeral Mass will be Thursday August 10th at 11 am at Holy Family Church, 601 Tremont St Duxbury, burial to follow in Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne at 1:30 pm.
Memorial donations in his name may be made to the Compassionate Care ALS. PO Box 1052 West Falmouth, MA 02574.
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AUG 9 Service
4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Cartmell-Davis Life Celebration FH – North Plymouth
373 Court Street
AUG 10 Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Holy Family Church
601 Tremont Street
AUG 10 Service
1:30 p.m.
Massachusetts National Cemetery
Connery Ave.
