Obituary of Henry Mela

Mela, Jr., Dr. Henry, 82, of St. Petersburg died Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at Westminster Shores Health Center from Alzheimer?s disease. He was a retired Family Practice physician who conducted his practice here for 35 years. He was a founding member and a chief of staff of Edward White Hospital, and a staff member at Bayfront Hospital, St. Anthony?s and Palms of Pasadena. He belonged to the American Medical Association, the Florida Medical Association, the American Academy of Family Practice, and was very active in the Pinellas County Medical Association in which he served as Treasurer and as a member of the Board of Governors. In the 1960?s he formed a group of general and family practice physicians who covered each other?s practices if a member of the group was taken seriously ill. The Plant City native spent many of his formative years in St. Petersburg at Florida Military Academy. He graduated with honors in 1936 and was the last surviving alumnus who had attended all three locations of the school: Green Cove Springs, Jacksonville and St. Petersburg. He earned his B.S. degree in Chemistry from the University of Florida in 1940. As a second lieutenant during World War II, he served in the medical corps from 1941 ? 1945. He received his medical degree in 1960 as a graduate of the University of Miami Medical School?s first four-year degree program. He interned here at Mound Park Hospital now Bayfront in 1960. He was a member of St. Matthew?s Episcopal Church, Lakewood Country Club and the Museum of Fine Arts. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Edith S.; one daughter, Candace and one son, Scott, both of St. Petersburg; a brother Bronson V., of Lakeland and several nieces and nephews. There will be a funeral service at 3:30 on Tuesday, November 6, 2001 at St. Matthew?s Episcopal Church, 738 Pinellas Point South, St. Petersburg, FL 33705. Burial will immediately follow in St. Matthew?s memorial garden. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Alzheimer?s Association ? Tampa Bay Chapter, 9365 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite B, Pinellas Park, FL 33782 or to the Hospice of the Florida Suncoast, 300 East Bay Drive, Largo, FL 33770.