Ronald Melino, 91; American Airlines Executive, Westporter

Harding Funeral Home Obituary

Ronald Joseph Melino - June 28, 1929 to May 22, 2021. Born and raised on Jackson Avenue in the South Bronx, NYC, transplanted himself and his family to Westport, CT in 1967. Loved the excitement, diversity and complexity of NYC - the "Capital of the World" as he would often say. Studied biology at City College and a proud longtime employee of American Airlines having worked his way up from the La Guardia Airport terminal to the company’s executive offices at the Chrysler Building in Manhattan.

A true original to his core, naturally charismatic, and never shy, he lived life on his own terms. Loved beach walks, tennis with pals at the Westport Tennis Club and Longshore, workouts and saunas at the Westport YMCA, reading, train travel to San Francisco, and above all else his grandchildren.

At peace and resting with his beloved bride Maureen (née Hurley) of 55 years (Sept 22, 1931 to Nov 18, 2011) at Assumption Cemetery in Westport. Survived by his brother Eugene Melino, and his children Stephen Melino (Margie), Frances Zahler (Gary), Barbara Deecken (George), and James Melino (Ilana), his grandchildren Alexsis Adams, Christina Deecken, Cody Zahler, Christian Zahler, Avery Chung-Melino, Rachel Melino, Emily Zahler, and Katey Melino, great grandson Isaiah, and beloved nieces and nephews and their families.

A private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Assumption Cemetery in the coming weeks at a date and time to be determined by the family.