Melvin Warren Westley

melvin westley

December 25, 1928 ~ February 25, 2016


Resided in: Decatur, GA

Melvin Warren Westley was born in Philadelphia, PA on Christmas Day, 1928 to Warren Leroy Westley and Beatrice Bailiff Westley. He had one sister, Doris Mae. His grandmother and an uncle lived with them above the family grocery store near Temple University.

Melvin had grown up in the shadow of the depression, playing stick ball in the streets, making deliveries for the store, and studying. He was an excellent student. His family was very proud when he entered the University of Pennsylvania. He studied Chemical Engineering, joined the Alpha Chi Rho fraternity and had a fun college life, making life-long friends. When he met Hannah Cook, it was love at first sight. One of their primary connections was an interest in travel. When Melvin graduated in 1950, he proposed to Hannah a Junior – Hannah did finish her education 20 years later.

They first moved to Newburgh, NY where Melvin joined the DuPont chemical company. Their first road trip together was in 1951, driving across the country and back in 2 weeks. They keep meticulous records of that trip and a similar one in 1952. These road trips not only nurtured their travel bug but also cemented an intent to retire in Arizona. They settled into married life – buying a small home and having children – Cynthia Jean, Martin John, and Linda Jane.

Melvin had many hobbies – he tended prize winning roses, took and developed beautiful photographs. The family regularly traveled – camping or visiting family. Melvin became a private pilot. He was active in the Unitarian Church.

The family moved to Trumbull, Connecticut in 1963. In 1978, Melvin was transferred to Wilmington, DE., putting him close to his mother and sister. He had a very productive career and received patents and awards.

Melvin and Hannah retired and moved to Tucson, AZ in 1989. They started a new life of volunteerism Sabino Canyon and Pima Air Museum. Melvin was a pilot in the Civil Air Patrol. He became a massage therapist at Esalen. Mel and Hannah were both interested in a wide variety of ideas and had a broad circle of friends. Melvin loved to read about and discuss politics, and theoretical concepts. Children and spouses include Cindy and Alan, Martin and Patti, Linda and Andy. Melvin and Hannah had five grandchildren Bob, Arthur, Louis, Salem, Rebecca. Melvin and Hannah would plan their trips, learning about the area and creating records of their travels through pictures and journals. Their last trip together was to teach English in China for a month. Melvin flourished as an instructor and friend.

Hannah died in 2005 of cancer. Melvin continued to travel, participate in church and neighborhood activities. In 2008, he moved to a retirement community, Fellowship Square, in Tucson. He continued to travel, sometimes big adventures, sometimes revisiting places he went with Hannah.

In June 2015, he moved to Sunrise Assisted Living of Decatur GA, to be closer to the family. Melvin felt safe and appreciated the routines of the community. He had a computer and at any time of day or night, he might be on the internet learning new things or finding entertainment. He was truly happy, very grateful and always kind. Melvin died a peaceful, graceful death with his family at his side at Emory University Hospital Hospice on February 25, 2016.

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