BATH — Joseph R. Melrose Jr., 79, of Bedford Street, died Dec. 16 at Hawthorne House in Freeport.

He was born in Bath on March 16, 1935, a son of Joseph R. and Mildred C. (Ward) Melrose.

He attended Bath schools and graduated from Morse High School in 1953. On June 26, 1960, he married Anne Fitton.

Melrose was employed as an industrial arts teacher at Lisbon High School for 34 years. He also served as a deputy with the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Department for many years.

In addition, Melrose served as a colonel and wing commander in the Civil Air Patrol, and was a member of the West Bath Grange for over 60 years.

He enjoyed his hobby as a ham radio operator, and especially enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Anne F. Melrose, of Bath; three daughters, Elaine Baker and husband, Daryl, of Littleton, Massachusetts, Marilyn Melrose and husband, Craig Stearns, of Haverhill, Massachusetts, and Susan Yurek and husband, Edward, of Bath; six grandchildren, Katherine Baker, Sarah Baker, Collin Stearns, Nicholas Stearns, Patrick Yurek and Karen Yurek; and two cousins, Millie Stewart, of Brunswick, and Peter Footer, of Brunswick.

Visiting hours were held Dec. 26 at Daigle Funeral Home, in Bath, and a funeral was held the next day at Small Point Baptist Church, in Phippsburg, with the Sagadahoc Sheriff’s honor guard.

Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery, in Bath, in the spring.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Morse Alumni Association, c/o Hazel Merserve, 4 Regatta Lane, Bath, ME 04530.

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