JACKSONVILLE  -  Paul "Ski" Joseph Melski, 88, of Jacksonville, passed away Monday, January 29, 2024.

At the family's request, Mr. Melski's services will be held privately.

Born in Buffalo, NY, and raised in The Immaculate Heart of Mary Home for boys and girls orphanage from 1936-1949, and remained in his foster home from 1949-1953. He then joined the United States Marine Corps on January 7th, 1954. Ski used to say that boot camp wasn't that rough because of his pre-training in the orphan home. He served 20 years in the Marine Corps and 2 tours in Vietnam (1966-1969/70) before retiring as a MSgt. After retirement Ski started Stanadyne in 1975 to 1985, then started his time with Civil Service from 1986-1988. Ski was also a licensed electrician from 1975-1995 in NC, and ultimately retired due to his health.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Yaeko O. Melski.

Survivors include his daughter, Linda Claudio-Diaz and husband, Thomas of Jacksonville; son, Steven Melski of Jacksonville; grandson, Jason Claudio-Diaz and wife, Amanda; granddaughter, Crystal Black; sister, Barbara Duk of Buffalo, NY; and his four great-grandchildren, Isabella and Olivia Claudio-Diaz, and Bobby Black III and Aubree Black.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at https://t2t.org/donate/.