Vincent Franklin Melillo, Baker Class of ‘74, was my baby brother.  He died unexpectedly at age 40 January 10, 1997, in Columbus, Ga., and is missed every day by our Dad, Vincent Melillo, 91, and me.  Vincent’s big blue eyes and smile could “light up a room.”  He was the “sunshine” in our lives,  and kept us entertained with his little pranks.   He was an uncle, who also acted as an older brother to my son, Michael Clasen.  Our mother, Frankie Doris Thompson Melillo, died in 2005 without ever recovering from his loss.
             Although my brother and I were born to a military family, Vincent was pretty much a “hometown boy” who did all his “moving around” by the time he was four years old.  Our Dad, a WW II Merrill’s Marauder and Korean War -- 5th RCT veteran, retired as an Army master sergeant after 21 years so he wouldn’t have to spend time away from his young son.  I was the 10 years older “Army Brat sister” who finished high school at Baker - class of “64.” 
             Vincent was born July 14, 1956, at Ft. Polk, La., and lived at Ft. Knox  before moving to Columbus.  He attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School and Baker High School.   He received his undergraduate and masters degrees from Columbus College, and also attended the University of Georgia.  He was a member of Sigma Pi Fraternity. 
            Most of his professional life was in the retail business. He managed Hanover Shoes at Peachtree Mall until it closed, and was working at Montgomery Wards at the time of his death.  He had been involved with the South Columbus Boy’s Club and American Red Cross at Ft. Benning. He enjoyed SCUBA, martial arts and photography. Vincent was divorced.  His former wife, now Tammy Pope, and her family are still a part of our lives. Vincent is buried in his mother’s hometown of Milan, Ga.
Submitted by his sister, Jonnie Melillo Clasen