SCARBOROUGH — Harold W. Melvin, 87, of Piper Shores Retirement Community, died May 25 after a short illness.

On May 21, 1922, he was born in Boston, son of Harold W. Sr., and Jessie S. Melvin. 

He was a graduate of Harvard University, Harvard Divinity School, the Episcopal Theological School and Boston University School of Theology.

After serving in World War II from 1943-1946, he became ordained as an Episcopal priest and served as the Rector for local parishes. In the 1960s, he was very active in the civil rights movement, marching in North Carolina and getting arrested for his beliefs.

For nearly 30 years, he served as a professory of sociology at Fitchburg State College and was named Professor Emeritus in 1998.

He was an active resident at Piper Shores and established a table tennis program and social dining groups.

His interests included photography, tennis and folk music.

He is survived by Joan B. Melvin of Bloomfield, Conn.; three children, John of Gloucester, Mass., Randall and his wife Janet of Yarmouth; Virginia and her husband David Lynn of Greenwich, Conn.; and four grandchildren, Alexandra Marie Lynn and Olivia Randolph Lynn of Greenwich, Conn., Justin Edward Melvin and Ryan Christopher Melvin of Yarmouth.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., June 6 at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 885 Shore Road, Cape Elizabeth.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund, P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.

Arrangements are by McClam & Turner Funeral Home, 9 Pulaski St., Stamford, Conn.