Melvin C. Wheeler, 93, of Peabody, MA, passed away Saturday December 9, 2023 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He was married to Helene (Spitzer) with whom he had celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past October 13, 2023.
Born and raised in Lowell, MA, Melvin was the son of the late Benjamin and Mabel (Koss) Wheeler. He was the brother of the late Eunice Fox.
Melvin attended the Beverly School for the Deaf and served as Alumni President for several years. He was an active fixture in the Deaf community and also served on the board of The New England Home for the Deaf.
He also attended Lowell High School where he graduated with the class of 1951. After high school, he studied engineering and was employed by Raytheon, where he retired in 1991 after a 35-year career with the company.
Melvin was an avid world traveler and shared many wonderful journeys with his wife Helene. He was a true family man and nothing was more important to him. He took his family to the beach every summer. He was a self-proclaimed expert body surfer. He adored his 6 grandchildren and loved spending time with them.
Besides his wife, he is survived by this three daughters, Sandi and her husband, Avi Zingerman of Israel, Elissa and her husband Tim Hille of Stow, MA and Judy and her husband Michael Foley of Lynnfield, MA, and his beloved grandchildren Nadav and his wife Hilla, Sivan, Benjamin, Joseph, Owen and Sarah.
FUNERAL NOTICE
Melvin Wheeler, Peabody, MA died December 9, 2023. Funeral Tuesday December 12, 2023 starting at 11:00AM at the Morse-Bayliss Funeral Home, 122 Princeton, Blvd, Lowell, MA 01851. Burial in Temple Beth El Cemetery, Chelmsford, MA. Memorials may be made in his name to The New England Home for the Deaf, Danvers, MA. ARRANGEMENTS BY MORSE-BAYLISS FUNERAL HOME, 122 PRINCETON BLVD, LOWELL, MA 01851. ONLINE GUESTBOOK AT https://morsebaylissfuneralhome.com/
8 responses to “Melvin C. Wheeler of Peabody, MA”
Mr. W., your smile lit up the room. I will always remember you building sand castles and ball towers with us at the beach. Thank you for your kindness and always welcoming us in your homes. You leave us with an amazing legacy and we will always remember you with love. Marcy K.
Am deeply saddened by the loss of Mel, a kind and thoughtful person who always had a smile for everyone. I will miss seeing him ride around the campus with Helene trailing along with him but feel very lucky to have had a chance to spend a brief time of my life knowing both him and Helene. my condolences to his family
Marjorie Short
We had lots of laughs together and missed you
Melvin was an important part of my and my family’s life. Thanks for the memories. Godspeed Melvin
May his memory be a blessing. Melvin (and Helen) were so influential to me as a new interpreter to Boston in the 80’s and 90’s. So kind, funny, accepting… I am grateful he was part of my life.
Mel was always so kind as we were trying to learn ASL. Even when we were terribly incorrect, he was patient and knew what we were trying to say. Both he and Helene were a joy to let us into their world. May he rest in piece. He will be remembered fondly.
I am sorry that Mel has passed . My deep sympathy for you Helene and your dear family. I am grateful that I knew him. I have wonderful memories of him and your welcoming Charlie and me into your home for movies. He was kind , a great fellow.
Gloria MacGillivray
Mel was a figure in my household, growing up, along with Helene and their three beautiful daughters and their families. There was always a twinkle in his eyes when we saw him, always had something to chat about. Never a dull moment with him and Helene. Thankful to have known him and for his family to share him with us.
Much love to Helene and the family.