Melvin Bye was born in New York City. He grew up in Harlem and attended public schools. He was the first in his family to attend college. He inspired the rest of his family to follow in his footsteps, when he stressed the importance of education. Mel attended City College of New York and received a B.A. in anthropology and received a Master of Education from Columbia University. His post-graduate training was at New York University.
As many young men do, Mel dreamt of becoming a professional baseball player. He played on several teams in New York. As a scholar, he received a Fulbright scholarship and studied Portuguese in Brazil at a school in Rio Grande do Sul. Mel was fluent in Portuguese and Spanish.
Mel had a varied career from teaching to insurance sales to building development and construction management
In 1955, Mel met the love of his life Jean Lake. They met at a dance and one short year later they married. This love affair lasted over sixty years. Mel and Jean were blessed with two special daughters, Racquel and Dori and their talented and devoted granddaughter, Brooke. He had a special place in his heart for his grand-dog Moe and his grand-cat Maestro.
His parents, Elsie and Frank and six of his siblings predeceased Mel. As one of eight children, his only surviving sibling is Doris Nazaire of Jamaica, New York. He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews who were very special to him and will continue the legacy he initiated.
The wake will be held on Thursday, February 16 from 4 pm to 8 pm at Lloyd Maxcy & Sons Beauchamp Chapel , 16 Shea Place, New Rochelle, NY 10801. The phone number is 914.632.2700.
The funeral service will be held at Trinity St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 311 Huguenot Street, New Rochelle, NY 10801 on Friday, February 17. A viewing will be held from 10 – 10:45 am. The funeral service will begin promptly at 11am followed by a burial service at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, NY. After the burial at 2:30 pm all are invited for refreshments and fellowship with Mel’s family and friends back at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
