Meletios "Mel" Christy

Meletios “Mel” Christy, 65 of Manchester went to be with the Lord and his “Forever Home” on July 3, 2022. He was born in Manchester, NH on November 15, 1956, the son  of the late Louis Sr. and Helen (Pouliopoulos) Christy.

In his youth, you could find Mel working in the kitchen of his parent’s restaurant. He also spent a lot of time training at Murphy’s Gym perfecting boxing and martial arts skills. His persistence paid off, earning him the prestige of the “Golden Gloves” for at least one fight. Even if he didn’t win, he would smile and say, “ I may not have won but he couldn’t knock me out!” That was a “Win” for Mel!

Mel attended Central High School in Manchester and graduated in 1974. He went on to attend Plymouth State College graduating in 1978 with honors, earning a B.S. degree in Science. He returned to his alma mater, CHS in 1979 to begin his teaching career. This would be the stepping stone that began a long and inspiring career, mentoring, challenging and motivating his students. He touched so many lives in those 29 years teaching at Central. His enthusiasm and devotion to educate and shape lives was unparalleled.

Mel was very proud of his Greek heritage and religion as well as the faith he carried with him. In 1988 he met the “ love of his life” Laura. They married in 1990 and shared 32 years of love and admiration for each other. Mel was known to say, “My Wife …My Life!” No words can adequately describe the love and devotion they shared.

During his teaching career, Mel earned his Master’s degree in Education from Antioch University. He was a gifted and thoughtful educator. Every student mattered to him. He was known to be the first to enter school and the last to leave. No student needing extra help was ever turned away. He spent time in the weight room engaging and motivating student athletes. Sometimes, he could be found doing push-ups in his classroom with a few of his students. He connected beautifully and openly with “his kids.” He truly loved them and his role as a teacher was paramount to him. When people would ask him, how many children he had… he would simply reply, “ too many to count!” He often followed up with, “ and there are still more to come!” Mel also found time to get his Real Estate license and run a small business for 25 years.

During the later years of his teaching career he worked with immigrant students. It was a new love for him. As always, he gave his all to these students, many of them struggling. He took his entire class out to breakfast. He was amazed that something he did so often was such a luxury and a gift to these young people. He bonded with a special student, a young man he took under his wing and became a second father to him, greatly improving his circumstances. No doubt there are countless other stories of lives changed or enhanced because of Mel Christy. He kept in touch with many of his former students for decades. He and Laura developed special and lasting friendships with the kids and many of their parents. He left his mark and legacy at CHS well beyond Room # 626 long after retiring from there in 2008. A Biology teacher like no other… exceptional, caring and devoted as a mentor, a colleague, a gentleman and as a friend.

After his retirement from CHS he found himself back in school at Windham High School when he was hired to help develop their Biology department. He truly enjoyed creating and collaborating on this project. From there, Mel joined the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s department, where he was currently working in the court system. He enjoyed this new opportunity and as always was a true professional in his commitment to his job and his community. He loved what he did and the people around him. He treated everyone with respect. He was a man of honor and integrity. He lived his life with strong ethics and humility, leading by example in an unselfish manner. He stood up for what he believed in, even if that meant standing alone. His desire to make a difference and his devotion to provide for his wife and their future was undeniably from the deepest part of his heart. He will be sorely missed.

Family members include: his beloved wife Laura (Scribner) Christy, his brother Louis Christy and his wife Helen of Bedford, NH, his godchild, Stephanie Christy of Carmel, NY, sisters-in-law, Shari Greenleaf and her husband Darin of Penacook, NH, Toni Cusamano and her partner Ron Derome of Manchester, NH , brother-in-law Kenneth Scribner and his wife Donna of Barnstead, NH, Mel’s cousins, Christina, Joanna, Meletios, Greg, John, Paul and Marti. All very important in Mel’s life as well as several nephews and nieces.

A mMemorial gathering will take place at Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium at 243 Hanover Street Manchester, NH on Tuesday, July 12th from 4-7 pm. Funeral services will take place in the funeral home chapel on Wednesday, July 13th at 10 am. Burial will follow services in Evans Cemetery, Bow, NH. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mel’s memory may be made to: Live & Let Live farm in Chichester, NH by visiting: www.liveandletlivefarm.org/donate. To view an online tribute, send condolences to the family or for more information, visit: www.phaneuf.net