Melvin (Mel) Persicketti, 79, of North Las Vegas, Nevada passed away peacefully in his sleep April 27, 2023 from COPD, cardiomyopathy and a brief case of cellulitis. Mel was born in New Jersey to Marion (Mariann) Denelsbeck Persicketti and Marcey Persicketti. He was working in the restaurant field training managers when he was drafted during the Viet Nam War. Mel was honorably discharged from the Army with the rank of Spec 5 after serving in Korea, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam. He was awarded the Good Conduct medal and the National Defense Service medal. He then was employed by Howard Johnson’s where he met Phyllis, the love of his life. He also worked at Pharmacraft and FMC before a long career as food service instructor at the Sypek Voc-tech School in Mercer County.
Mel is survived by his wife Phyllis of almost 55 years, siblings Jim and Annette, Doreen and Bubby and Cindy, nieces Janet and Chris, Jaclyn and Joe, Jennifer and Sherry, and nephews Jeffery and Maria, Johnny and Ann, John and Melissa and Bobby and Brenda, and brother-in-law John.
The people Mel credits with his growth and success include but are not limited to, and please excuse any creative spelling: Sister Lillian Frances, Sister St. Rita, Mr. Bellina, Pok Ti Bong, Charlie Lundgren, Dr. Bill Hills, Dr. Palmere, Professor Reynolds and his maternal grandparents.
Mel was an avid and accomplished tennis player, instructor and coach in New Jersey, Vermont and southern Nevada. One of Mel’s greatest pleasures while living in East Richford, Vermont, was having the opportunity to coach the girls’ tennis team at Bellows Free Academy in St. Albans.
Mel enjoyed reading, cooking, cheering on the Phillies, movies, plays, honky tonk music, Sinatra, Dean Martin, Blondie, Meat Loaf and the soundtrack of Don’t Bother Me I Can’t Cope.
Mel is sure to be remembered for his sense of humor, and as a generous, caring, empathetic and hardworking teacher, coach, friend, neighbor, brother, uncle and husband. After his experience as a teenage runaway, he really turned his life around. Miss Caputo would roll over in her grave if she knew Mel found happiness with a French teacher. May he rest in peace.
There will not be a viewing or service. Simple Cremation, www.SimpleCremation.us, will be handling the cremation.
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Our Deepest Sympathy to Phyllis and family. May he RIP.
Phyllis and family,
Mel was a great teacher at the Sypek Center! He loved his job and the students. My late husband, and I, had the honor of working with him for many years at MCVTS. As Instructors at Sypek, we felt like a family, especially since daily we would gather in Food Services for our lunch. Prayers for you and all. May Mel rest in God’s peace. I am so very sorry to hear of his passing. God bless all.
Phyllis, family and friends,
I worked many years with Mel at the Sypek Center. He was both my colleague and friend. His greatest professional mission was to do well for his students and fellow teachers. Mel loved that his Food Service course was the center of activity for the school and greater community.
I have many wonderful stories and memories of his efforts in encouraging students and supporting the school. Mel often said he was a red blooded city boy who loved his family, friends and Corvette. I learned much from him.
Stuart Wisse