Joseph Corrigan (JC) Mello died July 17 after a lengthy battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

JC was born Sept. 3, 1946 on the Vineyard. He was the son of Joseph Carbral Mello and Patricia Corrigan Mello. 

JC grew up along the marshes of Sengenkontacket Pond where his parents kept a summer camp. In the winters he lived in the shadows of the whaling captains' homes, which probably inspired him toward his own career in shipping.

As a young boy, he loved to be on the water where he sailed and opened scallops every day after school. JC worked for Norton and Estabrooks boatyard where he gained knowledge of rigging and boat maintenance. As a teen he raced on the Pretty Marie with Hugh Bullock.

JC graduated in 1964 from Martha's Vineyard Regional High School and went on to study drafting and mechanical engineering in Boston. He then studied at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. It was there that he met his future wife, racing for the sailing team. 

He graduated in 1968 and started as third mate on the SS African Star for Farrell Lines Steamship Co. to West Africa. Eventually he became captain aboard the Austral Rainbow, Export Champion, and Ashley Lykes for Lykes Lines and Central Gulf. His travels took him all over the globe, on every ocean, and through locks including the Great Lakes, Panama, and the Suez. 

JC married Deborah in 1971. From 1975 to 1980 he left shipping to captain the yacht Cruzan for Fairleigh Dickinson, traveling from Edgartown to the Caribbean each year.

JC returned to deep sea in 1980 and became involved with the rapid ready deployment force for the Air Force, stationed at times in Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, carrying munitions and smart bombs for the Kosovo-Bosnia conflict and operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, for which he received the Merchant Marine Expeditionary medal. JC retired in 2000. He was a proud member of the Boston Marine Society and the Council of American Master Mariners.

His great joys were his children Cory and Jody, and his wife of 36 years, Deborah. He was also passionate about sailing, gardening and reading about history and world affairs.

Captain Mello was predeceased by his sister Julie and his father Joe.

Survivors include his wife Deborah; children Corrigan and Jody Alene; brother Patrick; and mother Patricia.

His Mass of Christian Burial will be held in St. Elizabeth's Church, Main Street, Edgartown on Wednesday, July 25 at 11 a.m. Visiting hours are scheduled at the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Oak Bluffs on Tuesday, July 24 from 5 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of the Edgartown Library, P.O. Box 5249, Edgartown, MA 02539.