Melvin "Mel" R Gilmore

Melvin “Mel” R. Gilmore, Jr., 76 of Dunnellon passed away on May 6, 2012.  He was born in Pittsburgh, PA on February 15, 1936 and was married to the love of his life, Mary E. (Lackey) Gilmore for 52 ½ years.  He is survived  by his wife, Mary his daughters, Suzanne “Suzie” Sakal and husband Mike of Trinity, FL; Sharon J. Miller and husband Dan  of Dunnellon, FL and grandson Casey D. Miller and fiancée Summerlynn Manning of Archer, FL.  He is the brother of Alice Tresca and husband Bernie of Clearwater, FL and nieces Linda Ketchum, Carol Tresca and Edith Algiere and great niece Elise Crosby Snider and her daughter Eisis and great nephew Ian Crosby. In addition, four sister and brother-in-laws, five nieces, 2 nephews and nine great nieces and nephews by marriage. He is predeceased in death by his mother Jessie (Hopkins) Gilmore and father Melvin Raymond Gilmore, Sr. and sister Madeline Gilmore.

He graduated from Penn Hills High School in Pittsburgh, PA and proudly served in the US Navy from 1956 to 1958 aboard the USS Soley 707 Rank E3.  The family moved to Florida in 1962 residing in Palm Harbor and Dunedin before moving to Dunnellon in 1985.  He worked as a Certified Auto/Industrial Mechanic his entire life. Completing his Industrial Mechanic career at Evatone, Clearwater, FL; Perma-R-Foam, Dunnellon and Citrus County Utilities.

A loving, Christian man, Mel was a devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather and uncle to his family.  He lived life with a gusto!  Always learning, exploring, creating, teaching and helping his family, friends and community.
Mel was also actively involved in the Tin Can Sailors, a 32nd Degree Mason, a founding member of the Soggy Bottom Bluegrass Bunch and he and his wife Mary were assistant Girl Scout Leaders.  His many passions included Stock Car Racing, avid Tampa Bay Bucs fan, fishing, camping, gardening, animal & wildlife enthusiast, trains,  Civil War buff, weather, clocks, woodworking, model builder, music lover and collector extraordinaire!  There was nothing that Mel couldn’t build or fix.  He always joked that he was a “Jack of all Trades and Master of None”. We all knew better!
Family thanks all his many friends and neighbors who rallied around to offer help in his time of need.  We appreciate and love all of you.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the WoundedWarriorProject.org;  P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas, 66675.