Pittsford:
April 10, 1931 – May 1, 2015, at age 84. Predeceased by his parents, Andrew & Carrie Meloni; and his siblings, Ned (Santa) Meloni, Tony (Celine) Meloni, Joe (Dorothy) Meloni, Frances (Lee) Balsamo, Theresa Francati, and Mary (Tony) Cullota. Survived by his loving wife, Laura (Nana) Meloni; children, Andrew J. (Laurie) Meloni, Michael (Nancy) Meloni, Philene “Bean” (Sam) Cromwell, Mary (Billy) Bowe, Dr. Stephen (Sue) Meloni; grandchildren, Erin (John), Keith, Mollie, Laura, Ana, Sophia, Christopher, Michael, Billy, Mary Grace, Kathryn & Stephen; great-grandchildren, Giana & Gracie; sister-in-law, Susan Spinosa; brother-in-law, Jerry Francati; and 24 nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to Dr. Ronald Sham, Oncologist, Dr. John Geniere, the staff of Rochester General Unit 5500 Oncology, Lipson Cancer Center, Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, Sheriff Patrick O’Flynn, Lifetime Care, and many thanks to Doug Nordquist, Ed Magee, and Rick Mundo for all their assistance and loyalty.
Sheriff Meloni—a true gentleman, humanitarian, mentor, leader, and a funny guy. A decent man with impeccable honesty and integrity, law enforcement was his true passion—as was his desire to protect and preserve the rights of the people. Extreme compassion and care for those in need or less fortunate was his trademark. Sheriff Meloni grew up in the Lewis Street Center Neighborhood, and never forgot where he came from. It was a time when neighbors were like family.
He attended Mt. Carmel Grammar School, Aquinas Institute High School, attained a bachelor’s degree from Empire State College in criminal justice, and served his country in the U.S. Army Infantry (1952- 1953) while stationed in Fort Benning, GA. He joined the Monroe County Sheriff’s Dept. in 1954, where he had a 45-year career, with 21 of those years as Monroe County Sheriff (1980-2001).
Sheriff Meloni loved so many things, but nothing more important than family. The Sunday gatherings in his backyard will have lasting memories. It’s where the kids enjoyed the pool and throwing balls around, and where he enjoyed showing off his gardens—especially the roses and dahlias. However, if one of the kids damaged a flower with an errant ball, they had better take cover! At these gatherings, Mom (Nana) would cook awesome meals and the family would sit around and tell funny stories. Everyone showed, because if you didn’t you were talked about. He loved jokes and making people laugh, golfing with friends, listening to jazz, reading about WWII, watching the History Channel, and collecting coins. He loved all sports and enjoyed watching the Buffalo Bills with his family.
Sheriff Andrew P. Meloni was proud to be part of that greatest generation. If he had one piece of advice to share, it would be to keep a smile on your face, help someone less fortunate, laugh and hug a friend. In the last couple of weeks of his life, he said to his family, “I must’ve had a million laughs over the years. That’s a pretty good life.”
Friends are welcome to call at the RICHARD H. KEENAN FUNERAL HOME (Egypt location), 7501 Pittsford Palmyra Rd., Fairport, on MONDAY, 3-8 PM and TUESDAY, 3-8 PM. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated WEDNESDAY, 11 AM at St. John Fisher College (Ralph C. Wilson Sports Complex). Donations may be made to Camp Good Days and Special Times, or the Lewis Street Center in Sheriff Meloni’s memory.
Comments
7 responses to “Meloni, Sheriff Andrew P., Jr.”
Dear Laura and Family!
May the Lord’s hands of compassion and love and his guiding light from above, shine down upon you and give you strength during this time of sorrow. May you find comfort in knowing that friends share in your loss.
Edeltraut Bergmann ( MCSD Sgt. retired )
The Association of Rochester Police and Area Law Enforcement Retirees (ARPALER) sends prayers and condolences to the family of Sheriff Meloni as well as his MCSO family. We salute him for his service to the community and his leadership and friendship to all of law enforcement. Rest in Peace.
My sincere condolences to the Meloni family–our good neighbors for years! My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. He was a great man, a caring and devoted public servant with a sensational sense of humor. He will be greatly missed. His greatest tribute is the beautiful family he leaves behind.
The Meloni family~ I had the pleasure of meeting Andy Meloni at several occasions when I worked at Sweet’s Party House. Another I recall was when he was speaking at Arena’s Burgundy Basin Party House, and in conversation before his speech he showed me his notes of what he was going to say and it was a blank writing tablet! Many laughs, he had it all up there in his mind…A great sense of humor and I am thankful for the pleasure of his company on occasion. May the (ove he has for his family keep you all strong through this difficult time and to reminisce amongst his roses~
Condolences and Sympathy,
)udy Heagney-O’Hara
Sweet’s Party House 1980-1986
It was an honor to have served in the Sheriffs Office under Andy from 1968 to 1989. He was a first rate leader and a great boss. Condolences to his family and friends. He will not be forgotten by those who knew him.
It was a pleasure and an honor for my father (FRANK) to work under mr. meloni , and he was a dear friend to our whole family!!! he had a great sense of humour and was a very careing and compassionate man that will be sadly missed !!!!! GOD BLESS HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS…..T.J.M.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Laura and her family in their time of sorrow. Andy was a personal friend and his loss is felt by all who knew and loved him for his beautiful ways. We have know Andy for over 30 years and during that time we learned what a caring, compassionate, loving person he truly was. He cared about everyone, once you met him you immediately loved him for his personality, funny stories and he had so many. Laura is the same way, showing love all the time to Andy and his many, many friends. He loved his family and was so proud of their many achievements. Today he is flying with the Angels and no longer in pain. We will truly grieve the passing of our dear friend , till we meet again may you RIP. We love you and will miss you terribly.