Thomas A. Melucci ‘H.D. ’98, 82, of Lincoln, R.I., died Sunday, December 14, 2025, at Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, North Providence. He was the loving husband of Gail (Carlson) Melucci to whom he enjoyed sixty years of marriage.
Born in Fall River, Mass., a son of the late Anthony and (Gloria) Melucci, he was a graduate of Saint Raphael Academy, Pawtucket, and attended the University of Miami. He had resided in Lincoln for many years.
Melucci had a long and distinguished business career, as owner of the former Priority Finishing Co., and later as owner of Hope Valley Industries, Lincoln. He had a generous heart, and volunteered his time and effort in raising money for numerous organizations, including Meeting Street School, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Saint Anselm College, and Saint Mary’s Home for Children, and was a member of Ducks Unlimited. He was an avid golfer, and a member of Wannamoisett Country Club, Rumford, and Kirkbrae Country Club, Lincoln.
He was an active member of the Anselmian community since 1988. He, along with his wife, Gail, established the Thomas A. Melucci Jr. Memorial Endowed Scholarship which, since 1989, has awarded full tuition scholarships to more than 70 students in their senior year at Saint Anselm College. In 1998 Melucci received an honorary doctor of laws, and Saint Anselm College dedicated the Thomas A. Melucci Jr. Memorial Field. In 2019, the Thomas A. Melucci Jr. ’88 Theater was dedicated in honor of his son, Thomas A. Melucci Jr. ’88, who died in 1988, and whose diploma was awarded posthumously to his parents in 1988. Melucci served on the Saint Anselm College Board of Trustees from 2002 to 2018.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Craig C. Melucci (Lori) and Todd E. Melucci, both of Lincoln; two sisters, Jacqueline Mayo of New Bedford, Mass., and Sheila Neilan of Florida; and two granddaughters, Christiana Melucci and Vanessa Krause. He was the father of the late Thomas A. Melucci Jr.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Saint Jude Church, Lincoln. Burial followed in Resurrection Cemetery, Cumberland.
Contributions in his memory can be made to the Thomas A. Melucci Jr. Memorial Fund.