Salem, NH: John A. Melanson, 79, of Salem, NH, died on Tuesday May 12, 2020, at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, NH, due to complications from COVID-19 and other underlying health issues.

Born in Malden, MA, he was the son of the late Andrew J. Melanson and Virginia M. (Muse) Serating. John grew up in Wakefield, MA and graduated from Wakefield High School, Class of 1958. Shortly after high school, John proudly served in the United States Navy. He worked as a plumber pipefitter for the Plumbers Local Number Twelve Union of Boston and was involved on many important projects like the Seabrook Station Nuclear Power Plant. At the age of forty-three John suffered a permanent brain injury causing him to need constant care which he received at various rehabilitation centers and group homes.  For the last fourteen years he was a resident of Hackett Hill in Manchester, NH.

In spite of his many limitations, John still kept his sense of humor with his corny jokes and puns.  He enjoyed playing trivial pursuit and especially enjoyed visits with his family.  As a young man John enjoyed creative cooking as well as being outdoors canoeing, fishing, or just among the wildflowers. He also liked country music, whether it be dancing, singing, or playing the harmonica, which he was quite skilled at.

He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of thirty-six years, Patricia Ann (Magnell) Melanson of Salem, NH, his son, Nathan Melanson and his wife Christina Maginnis of Bellingham, WA, his daughter, Nicole Melanson and her husband Kern Wyman of Brisbane, Australia, grandchildren, Wesley and Alden Melanson, Sebastion, Satcher, Julian, Gabriel, and Alistair Melanson-Wyman, step-children, Steven MacLean of Maine, David MacLean of Maine, Scott MacLean and his wife Tina of Indiana, Donna MacLean-Gordon and her husband Max of Connecticut, nephew Michael Torrence and his wife Marilee of Georgia, niece Marie Mitchell and her husband Jeff of Georgia. He is also survived by his first wife Barbara Melanson of Reading, MA. He was predeceased by his sister Carol Torrence and her husband Vernon and his nephew Daniel Torrence.

John's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the wonderful and caring staff at Hackett Hill Healthcare Center.

Please consider a donation in John's memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516, or by visiting www.woundedwarriorproject.org

Due to the National Health Emergency, funeral arrangements will be private under the direction of Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main St., Plaistow, NH.