Melvin E. Hodgkins, 83, of Brunswick, ME. passed away in the company of those who love him on Sunday evening, August 13, 2017 at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice Home in Scarborough, ME.

Mel was born in Boston, MA. on August 31, 1933 to parents LaForest and Della Hodgkins. He attended schools in Lynn and Fall River, MA. and Bath, ME., graduating from Morse High School in Bath in 1951. He attended Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME., from which he graduated in 1955.

Upon graduation from Bowdoin Mel joined the U.S. Army and served a two year enlistment, which included an overseas stint in Korea.

After leaving the Army Mel married Barbara Taggart of New Jersey, and they relocated to the Boston Area, where he would live for the next forty years. He was employed in numerous and varied sales positions which took him all over New England and the country. His true passion was working with people directly, and so he entered the Human Resources field, where he enjoyed working for over twenty years at NEC in Boxborough, and Fidelity Investments in Boston.

In 1976 Mel married for a second time, to Jean McIntyre of Malden, MA. and they eventually settled in Waltham. Mel was active in the Unitarian Universalist Church, and the community, and he and Jean made many friendships and memories that endure today.

After retiring, Mel and Jean moved to Brunswick, ME. Once again Mel immersed himself into the community, volunteering at the Patten Free Library and Maine Maritime Museum in Bath, as well as serving as Treasurer on the Board of Trustees at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Brunswick.

This past September Mel and Jean celebrated forty years of marriage with a trip to Alaska.

Mel took great pride and pleasure in being both a Morse High School and Bowdoin College alumnus. He always looked forward to and enjoyed the friendship and camaraderie that surrounded him when he attended their respective reunions. The friends and memories he leaves behind are too numerous to mention, but these alumni organizations will always be held special. He was proud of being from the mid coast area.

Mel loved Maine and really appreciated the natural beauty that is our home.

He enjoyed long weekends at camp in the Rangeley area, sailing on Casco Bay, walking on Popham Beach, touring art museums and exploring new places. He was always open to meeting new people and having new experiences.

Mel, beloved son, husband, father, grandfather and brother in-law will always be missed and remembered for the love and support he gave us. He was the first to give help when times were troubling and the first to give congratulations when celebration was due. He was always there for us. We love you, Mel, Dad.

Mel is survived by his wife Jean, of Brunswick, ME., two sons, James Hodgkins of Chester Springs, PA. and his wife, Penny Furness- Hodgkins ; Bradford Hodgkins of Bath, ME., and his girlfriend, Dru Valliere; two grandchildren, Chris Degifico of Biddeford, ME. and Abigale Hodgkins of Bath, ME. and three sisters in law, Jackie Reynolds of Atlanta, GA., Holly McIntyre of Tishomingo, MS. and Nicole McIntyre of Baton Rouge, LA.

The Hodgkins family would like to extend their sincere gratitude and thanks to the entire staff of The Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough. Their genuine caring and concern for Mel and all of us was heartfelt. Thank You

A service to remember Mels’ life will be held on Saturday, September 9, at 1 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church, located at 1 Middle Street, Brunswick. Friends and acquaintances are encouraged to attend.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that any memorial donations are made to Bowdoin College Class of 1955 Scholarship Fund

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