Melvin (Mel) C. Hauck died peacefully at home in Maine surrounded by his beloved family. He died from progressive supranuclear palsy, a disease he fought courageously. He was 75.

Mel was born in Olean, N.Y. on July 31, 1949, the oldest of six children of Kenneth and Freda Hauck. He moved to Mt. Marion, N.Y. with his family while young and attended school in Mt. Marion and Saugerties, N.Y. He was a bit of a wild child, often scaring his mom—especially doing things like riding ice chunks down the river in the spring.

After attending SUNY Brockport for two years, he worked construction for several years, before working at Kingston Children’s Home. Eventually, he and his wife, Elizabeth (Betsy) Siewers and young son, Kristoper, moved to Martha’s Vineyard when he earned his Master’s Plumbers license. He worked for Walter Smith Company until his retirement.

He loved the Vineyard and would spend much of his free time at the beach fishing. He and his wife volunteered for the annual Kids Derby for many years, where he loved to help the kids with their gear and fish.

After retirement, the couple moved to Maine, where he did odd jobs for people and dedicated himself to his garden, along with his beloved pets and loved to “putz” around the house.

One of his greatest pleasures was frequent trips to Costa Rica, where, of course, he went to the beach and fished! He also found ridiculous laughter in making inappropriate comments, just to get reactions from others.

He was predeceased by his adored sister Ellen (Hauck) Fraenkel, who passed earlier this year and his parents.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Betsy; his children, the pride and joy of his life, Kristopher Hauck and Morgan (Hauck) Dias and her husband, Manny Dias; his beloved brothers and sisters, Leslie and Diane Hauck, Lars and Eileen Hauck, Hal and Kathy Hauck and Robert and Linnea (Hauck) Korotich; as well as several nieces and nephews. Mel also had several people who he “adopted” into his heart and loved as his own. His wife also has two sisters and their spouses that he loved deeply.

A celebration of life will be held early this fall at a date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to CurePSP, your local hospice or animal shelter or any childrens’ organization.