Fernando A. Melchior died at the St. Albans State Veterans Home (Queens, NY) on May 17 at the age of 87.
Fernando A. Melchior was born to Gladys Kirton-Pacheaco and Ithiel Melchior (V.I. Labor Movement leader).
He was raised between Puerto Rico and St. Thomas, where he attended Charlotte Amalie High School.
In 1950, at the age of 18, he was drafted into the U.S. Government’s Cold War against Communism, thus making his 19th birthday on the battle fields of Korea (36,574 killed in action).
After surviving Korea, he returned home to Puerto Rico to live with his mother, while serving the remainder of his active duty time in Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico.
Fernando later joined his mother, younger sister and brother and moved to New York City. His first job was the Veterans Administration Hospital on East 23rd Street, New York City. Later he worked for the St. Albans Naval Hospital in Queens until it closed in June 1974. Both facilities cared for wounded Vietnam War Veterans at the time.
After a brief employment at Brookdale Hospital in Brooklyn, New York (which he called little Korea due to the abundance in crime casualties), Fernando A. Melchior joined the United States Navy Military Sealift Command in 1975 as a master chef/lead cook baker. He retired in 2002 where he lived in Merced, California (wine country). Later he went to live with his son in Queens, New York, and helped cared for his grandson.
Fernando traveled the world ten times over, docking in many ports while serving the United States Combatant Commands during military action such as Panama, Operation Desert Shield/Storm to name a few, and other government agencies. A graduate of leading culinary schools, coupled with his natural talents, his passions were cooking, baseball and reading and was a New York Yankees’ fan to the end.
After serving over 40 years of federal active service, Fernando A. Melchior passed away quietly at the St. Albans State Veterans Home (Queens, NY) leaving behind a military legacy of service to the nation. A legacy followed by his brothers, Helario and Graciano Melchior, and later his nephews, nieces, son, and great nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his siblings: Reuben Melchior, Louisa Ortiz-Jusino and Magarita Knight. Fernando A. Melchior is survived by:
Son
Christopher Melchior
Honorary Son
George Melchior
Daughter
Alexia Melchior-Bascombe
Brothers
Graciano and Helario Melchior, and Alphonse Daniels
Sisters
Serita Larcheveaux, Olevine Durant, Dorine Pruett, Janise Melchior, Deboise Melchior and Rose Marie Rojas
Special Friends
Pearl Privott
Gloria Hodge
Grandchildren
Messiah Melchior
Ezekiel Bascombe
Special Cousin
Gaston Benjamin Jr.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral service of the late Fernando A. Melchior on Saturday, June 1, 2019, at the Celestial Chapel – Dan Hurley Home for Funerals. The viewing will begin at 9 a.m., followed immediate by the service at 10 a.m.
Interment: Western Cemetery No. 1
Arrangements are under the care of Dan Hurley Home for Funerals and Cremation Center of St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix.
For online directions and condolences please visit us at www.hurleydavisfuneralhome.com
