A True Builder of Homes, Hearts, and Community: Remembering Andrew Mellas
On August 21, 2025, the Mellas family and the Brevard community lost a giant of a man — Andrew Robert Mellas, lovingly known as “Andy” to friends and “Pop-Pop” to his grandchildren. At the age of 92, Andrew passed away peacefully in the very home he built — a powerful symbol of the life he constructed with dedication, love, and hard work.
Born on December 12, 1932, in Mount Holly, New Jersey, to Nicolas Andreas Mellas and Dorothea Gertrude Schembs Mellas, Andy was a man shaped by service and selflessness. From his honorable years in the U.S. Army, including time stationed in Germany, to the lasting impact he made as Fire Chief at the Masonville Fire Company and Deputy Fire Marshal, his legacy is etched in both public service and private devotion.
A Man of Hands and Heart: From Fire Chief to Carpenter
After his military service concluded in 1961, Andy shifted his attention to hands-on work, joining the painter’s union and becoming a carpenter in Mount Laurel, NJ. But even as he built homes, he continued to build something more—community trust. For over 27 years, he served with the Masonville Fire Company, leading as Chief for more than 15 years. When he relocated to North Carolina in 1982, his brothers in service honored him with the rare title of Chief Emeritus—a testament to the leadership and brotherhood he cultivated.
In Brevard, North Carolina, Andy continued his legacy as a home builder, crafting not only structures but lifelong relationships. He found joy in square dancing with his beloved wife Ella May, and took great pride in the field he maintained in front of his red barn on Middlefork Road. That red barn, now quiet, stands as a powerful monument to a life lived with intention, discipline, and joy.
A Legacy Etched in Generations
Perhaps Andy’s greatest pride was his family. He is survived by his devoted wife of 72 years, Ella May Stout Mellas, and their three daughters: Sharon, Andrea, and Diana. His love and guidance extended through generations—six grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren—each of whom carries a part of his enduring spirit.
He was preceded in death by six beloved siblings, and now joins them in eternal rest. But his story continues through the lives he’s touched, the homes he’s built, and the love he’s given.
Andrew Robert Mellas wasn’t just a carpenter or a veteran or a fire chief—he was the cornerstone of a family, a friend to a community, and a hero to many. His life reminds us that true legacy is not written in accolades, but in acts of love, service, and strength.
Rest peacefully, Pop-Pop. Your work here is done, but your memory will live on forever.
