Joseph Mello Jr., 88, Was Commercial Fisherman

Joseph (Chippy) Mello Jr., 88, of Dartmouth died Friday, July 4. Born in New Bedford, he was the husband of Dorothy Simas Mello and the father of Teri Mello of West Tisbury and Joe Mello of Dartmouth.

Mr. Mello was an army combat veteran of World War II. He was the former proprietor of Chippy's Restaurant, South Dartmouth, but his heart and soul lay in the waters as a fisherman. He built and commercially fished off his boat, the Golden Arrow, and later built the catamaran, His and Hers. The catamaran served as a summer dwelling for his family and was a seaworthy fishing boat. Menemsha Pond was like a second home.

Chippy was hardworking, innovative, tenacious and a jack of all trades. He never gave up on his independence or his ideas. He was always working and doing the things he loved. When piece by piece his body wore out, he always found ways to compensate until all possibilities were exhausted, and he peacefully died with family by his side.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his son, Joe Mello, and his wife, Susan; his daughter, Teri Mello, and her husband, Sean Conley, and four grandchildren, Kaitlyn Mello, Joey Mello, Emma Conley and Max Conley. He was predeceased by a daughter, Judi Mello, and a son, Peter Mello.

In accordance with his wishes, a private service will be held on a boat off of Round Hill, Dartmouth, on the ocean he loved.