Edwin R. Mellett

Edwin Mellett was welcomed by his parents, Agnes Burns Mellett and Edwin Joseph Mellett, in New York City on February 4, 1939.  He grew up with his family in New York City, Manhasset, and Eastchester, New York.

Ed graduated from Fordham University in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science Degree, Economics major.  He was elected to the National Economics Honor Society.  He then furthered his education with a MBA in Finance from The Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania in December 1961.

Also in December of 1961 he married the love of his life and best friend Frances Lillian Talt.  They were blessed with four great children Ed, Kathy, Andy and Chris.  Together the family took off on a lifetime adventure living in Bronxville NY, Greenwich CT, Medfield MA, Darien CT, Atlanta GA, London UK, and Vero Beach FL.  The family also greatly enjoyed a vacation home in Vermont for more than 40 years.  Fran was the master of all moves and always did a great job!

Ed’s early business career was with General Foods Corp.  He worked in various functional areas and achieved positions of increasing responsibility.  He moved to PepsiCo then The Coca Cola Company and spent 20 years in the Soft Drink Business.  He rose to a number of Senior Management Positions with PepsiCo including President, Pepsi Foodservice.  He was then recruited to join The Coca-Cola Company and served as Executive Vice-President Coca-Cola USA, President Coca-Cola USA, President Coca-Cola North America and President Coca-Cola Europe based in London.  Ed had a tough time convincing Fran to return to the United States but what helped convince her was a triumphant sail home aboard the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) across the Atlantic.

After a successful corporate career, Ed wanted to do something entrepreneurial.  He became Co-CEO of AHL Services, a business outsourcing organization with significant focus on the airline industry.  The company expanded both through internal growth and a number of large acquisitions.  The company went public and was subsequently sold to a British organization.

Sports were always an important part of Ed’s life.  He was a member of the first Rowing team in Fordham’s history.  He also rowed competitively for the New York Athletic Club (NYAC).  However, golf was his favorite.  He was a member of Peachtree Golf Club, Redstick Golf Club, Windsor Club, Cherokee Country Club, Quail Valley, Sunningdale (UK), Ekwanok, and Dorset Field Club.  He enjoyed trips to Ireland, Scotland, and England with his close friends.  Ed was a lifelong fan of the New York Giants.  Over time there was much disappointment and sadness with his Giants; but 4 Superbowl Victories did substantially lessen the pain.

Family was always the number one Priority to Ed.  Times were never better than having the entire family together that included his four children, and their two spouses, Penny Mellett and John Rose, as well as three terrific grandchildren, Wyn, Brittany, Connor.  A few great family trip memories were to Hawaii, Alaska and Tuscany!

While he has been involved in many charitable causes, his major involvement has been The Boys and Girls Club of Indian River County Florida (BGC).  He became active one year after the first small clubhouse opened in Vero Beach.  He served on the Operating Board and Foundation Board ever since and has participated in the expansion of new large facilities in Vero Beach, Sebastian and Fellsmere.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Boys and Girls Clubs of Indian River County (https://www.bgcirc.org/donate/).

Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.