Leonard Lenny Mello, Sr, 75, of Swansea, formerly of Fall River, died Thursday, April 15, 2021, after battling Parkinsons Disease and pneumonia. Born in Fall River, son of the late Edmund Mello Sr. and Julia (Rodrigues) Del Toro and step-son of the late Biagio F. Del Toro. He had one sister, the late Mary Furtado, and one surviving brother, Edmund Mello. Being raised by a single mom, he always looked out for his brother and sister.

At age 17, he left Fall River and his family to find work in Arizona. After turning 18, he enlisted in the Navy and was a plank owner on the USS Ogden (LPD-5) and served in Vietnam from 1966-1967 directly supporting amphibious combat operations with the United States Marine Corps Seventh Fleet. As a proud SEABEE, he again served in Vietnam with MCB-12 where he supported multiple combat operations from 1968 1969. He was awarded the Combat Action Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with 3 service stars (each representing a military campaign) and Combat Operations Insignia for supporting the US Marine Corp operations, the Navy Reserve Meritorious Service Medal with 3 stars. Lenny served from 1970 - 1988 in the US Navy Reserves as a SEABEE and from 1988 - 1989 in the Massachusetts Army National Guard.

After Vietnam, Lenny was a Teamster and worked for Swansea Concrete. He then started L.J. Mello & Sons, Inc and completed concrete and other construction work for over 35 years. He snowplowed for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Lenny was a proud patriot, always flying the American Flag and SEABEE Flag at home. He loved serving in the Colonial Navy of Massachusetts for several years. Lenny loved his kids and supported the Case High Marching Band, coached Swansea Independent Baseball League, and always helped those in need around the community. He was a father figure to multiple people he ran across and helped throughout his life. After retiring, Lenny enjoyed his favorite dog Buddy, built wooden toy and jewelry boxes, visited his grandchildren and continued to do what his wife told him to do.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Julie Mello. He was an amazing father and is survived by his three children: Leonard Mello Jr. and his wife Sherri of Gloucester, RI, Colonel Jason B. Mello and his wife Claire of Ashburn, VA and Holly A. Dimitriadis and her husband Chris of Australia. He loved his entire family and is survived by his eight grandchildren Madison, Taylor, Amelia, Kieran, London, Molly, Colin and Bianca; and his Goddaughter Julia Furtado-Lavoie of New Bedford, MA.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at 9:00AM from Smith Funeral & Memorial Services, 8 Schoolhouse Road, Warren, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00AM in St. Mary of the Bay Church, 645 Main Street, Warren.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, April 19, 2021, from 4-7PM in the funeral home.

Burial will take place in St. Marys Cemetery, Bristol.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the, Parkinson's Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131 (https://www.parkinson.org) or to the Swansea Animal Shelter, 68 Stevens Road, Swansea, MA, 02777.

Information/On-Line condolences please visit- www.wjsmithfh.com