Submitted by: Dan Rich
Victor A. Melchiorre
South Bend Tribune 11/26/2006
Victor A. Melchiorre, 85, of Mishawaka, IN, passed away at 9:32 p.m. Thursday, November 23, 2006, in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center South Bend. Victor was born August 11, 1921 in North Wildwood, New Jersey, to Oswald and Antoinette (Salomone) Melchiorre. Victor enlisted into the U. S. Marine Corp following the Pearl Harbor attack. He earned 5 Battle Stars for action on Guadalcanal, Guam, Bougainville and Iwo Jima and the Bronze Star for heroism along with other medals. Victor opened up his law office in Mishawaka and practiced for 45 years before retiring in 1996.
On August 26, 1950, in St. Monica Catholic Church Victor married Mary A. Trimboli, who survives along with one son, Victor A. Melchiorre Jr. of Indianapolis, IN., one sister, Jeanette Owens of Cape May, NJ., his sister in law, Mary Jane Melchiorre of Palm Bay, FL., and many nieces and nephews and he was preceded by two brothers, Ossie Melchiorre and Andrew Melchiorre.
Victor was member of St. Monica Catholic Church where he was an usher for 50 years and a life member of V.F.W. #360 Mishawaka, American Legion.
In 1950 he received a Bachelor Degree and a Law Degree from the University of Notre Dame, he was past president of St. Joseph County Bar Association, past president of Rotary Club, a past vice president of the Diloreto Society, Mishawaka Library Board, Parish Council of St. Monica Catholic Church, TKE Fraternity Parents Club of Wabash College, he served on the Election Board of St. Joseph County, past director of the Broadway Theater League, the St. Joseph County Chapter of the Red Cross, Legal A & R Society of St. Joseph County. He also belonged to various University of Notre Dame organizations, the Alumni Association and the Law School Alumni Association. In 2000 he received from Notre Dame the Golden Jubilee year special citation and an Apostolic Blessing from Pope John Paul II, and was an Appeal Agent of the U.S. Government Draft Board. Was Life Member of the Knights of Columbus 3rd and 4th degree.
Family and friends may call on Monday from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Bubb Funeral Chapel, 3910 N. Main Street, Mishawaka where a rosary will be recited at 4:00 p.m. Family and friends may also call one hour on Tuesday prior to the services at St. Monica Catholic Church, 222 West Mishawaka, Ave., Mishawaka where a mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. with Father Jeffery Largent officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery Mishawaka where military rites will be conducted by V.F.W. # 360.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Monica Catholic Church or to the donor's choice. Victor loved to travel with his wife Mary and son Victor all over the world and enjoyed cruises most of all. He exercised at the Battell Center every morning 5 days a week. Raised on the New Jersey Shore he loved the ocean and the St. Joseph River in the back yard of his home on Linden Avenue. He will be missed by all the people who knew him. Was a wonderful husband, father and friend. SEMPRI FI!