Dad loved good food and good company. After saying our goodbyes, lets get together for a meal in his honor at The Olive Garden on East Colonial, near the Fashion Square Mall.
All are welcome, even if you couldn't make it to the memorial service. Please be advised that dinner will be self-pay.
Come join us in remembering Mel. Bring a memory to share - bonus points if it makes us laugh. We'll have cards you can fill out, and a chance to share out loud if you'd like.
Leu Gardens provides complimentary admission from 9am-5pm for guests of Mel's memorial. If you'd like to take some time to gather your thoughts or just enjoy the beautiful lake and foliage, feel free to come early or linger in the gardens afterwards.
We will be meeting at the Olive Garden on East Colonial (near Fashion Square) to break bread together afterwards at 5:30 pm. All are welcome. Please be advised that dinner will be self-pay. Details coming soon.
Virtual Tour of the Gardens:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTZH6mCMD4g
If you would like to send flowers for Dad's memorial, please send them to my address on or before 11:00pm, 1/20/2020, and I will make sure they are part of the service. If you would like to send flowers to Mom (Carol Ware), please contact me directly using the contact button on the home page for her address.
Bethany DuVall
1128 North Fairway Drive
Apopka, FL 32712
Please join our remembrance by adding your photos and memories of Mel to the Condolences tab. It makes us happy to see other people celebrating who he was.
Memorial service will be 1/21/2020. Details are below.
OBITUARY
Mel was a master craftsman and mischief maker, a biker like his mother, Lily, before him. He met the love of his life, Carol (Debbie), when she came to his Fred Villari studio in New Hampshire for karate lessons, and he swept her off her feet onto the back of his motorcycle. Both were a package deal - Mel brought his son Richard Melvyn, and Carol brought her daughter Bethany. Each of them raised each other's children with the same love... see more
Mel was a master craftsman and mischief maker, a biker like his mother, Lily, before him. He met the love of his life, Carol (Debbie), when she came to his Fred Villari studio in New Hampshire for karate lessons, and he swept her off her feet onto the back of his motorcycle. Both were a package deal - Mel brought his son Richard Melvyn, and Carol brought her daughter Bethany. Each of them raised each other's children with the same love they showed their own.
Mel moved his family to Florida in the early 1980s, where he spent many years running the Mill Shop for Universal Studios. You can still see his handiwork in the original park today. When he wasn't trading favors with the theme park's chefs to get lobster spreads for the guys in the Mill Shop, you could find him practicing Kung Fu, riding Harleys with Carol, or getting his bald head bathed by one of his puppies (who were all so well-fed they looked more like sausages than dogs).
Mel loved family, good food, and laughing. He raised his kids, Richard Melvyn and Bethany, on shepherd's pie, Yorkshire pudding, and other proper fare from his childhood home of England, and is still remembered for spreading mayonnaise on his pizza. All of us learned to make his favorite Missouri Cookies - a recipe shared by his sisters, Janet and Christine.
Mel had a laugh that carried everyone in the room with him, and if you ever heard it even once, you can probably still hear it in your mind now.
He is survived by his wife Carol, son Richard Melvyn, daughter Bethany, grandchildren Bryce, Kolby, Leife, and Zoie, sisters Janet and Christine, and a host of nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends, all of whom, no matter the distance, were the source of his joy.
Though his memory became less reliable in the last years of his life, he always remembered the members of his family, as we always will remember him.
Mel was a master of wood working, he was also a guy with a "Can Do" Attitude! No matter what you asked him to do he was always helpful to the culinary team, anything we ever needed custom made for our many themed banquets, or culinary... moreMel was a master of wood working, he was also a guy with a "Can Do" Attitude! No matter what you asked him to do he was always helpful to the culinary team, anything we ever needed custom made for our many themed banquets, or culinary competitions, he always came thru for us. He made many Trophies, special forms, frames, wedding cake stands, and stencils. Once he made us a frame for a wedding cake to prevent bugs and worms from creeping out of the cake during a Fear Factor shoot. I enjoyed talking with him about family, wood working, Harley's, and food. Oh Yes; Mel loved Food! Mel Brother we will miss you. less
Bethany DuVallI love this. He told us about cutting boards he made, but I didn't know about some of these other projects. The Fear Factor cake sounds like the kind of challenge he would have loved. I also remember him working on stands for the wedding cake stand for... moreI love this. He told us about cutting boards he made, but I didn't know about some of these other projects. The Fear Factor cake sounds like the kind of challenge he would have loved. I also remember him working on stands for the wedding cake stand for the opening of the Shrek Ride. Thank you for your friendship to my Dad, and for sharing fun memories.
January 19, 2020
Carol WareMike, thank you for these memories. Mel told me about some of the unusual things he made for the chefs but he didn't mention the Fear Factor cake . . . probably because it sounds gruesome. But variety was one of the things he liked about his job at... moreMike, thank you for these memories. Mel told me about some of the unusual things he made for the chefs but he didn't mention the Fear Factor cake . . . probably because it sounds gruesome. But variety was one of the things he liked about his job at Universal and I remember the culinary team approached him with some pretty unusual challenges.
I remember when Mel came to Universal Studios, he started as a casual employee,working with our Maintenance team as a part time employee. After seeing his hard work and talent, management had him come on full time. Mel always had a hardy laugh and a... moreI remember when Mel came to Universal Studios, he started as a casual employee,working with our Maintenance team as a part time employee. After seeing his hard work and talent, management had him come on full time. Mel always had a hardy laugh and a genuine smile for everyone he ever was acquainted with. Yes... he was good at getting fellow team member treats and goodies from to Chef's at B-4 in trade for little favor jobs he did for them on the side.
As a supervisor, I had the pleasure of asking Mel to take the lead position in the Millshop and it was one of the best things that I could have ever done to enhance the direction and enrichment of the shop!
I can honestly say that anyone who ever had the pleasure of working with Mel as I did would tell you that it was a wonderful time and that he was a genuine person who enjoyed his time with us at Universal. less
Bethany DuVall
Thank you for sharing about my Dad, and for all you did with and for him when he was at Universal. He loved his work, and everyone who worked with him.
January 15, 2020
Carol Ware
Yours is another name Mel mentioned throughout the years and if I remember correctly, he referred to you as Bob Levy. So thank you, Bob. I'd forgotten that Mel worked part-time at Universal Studios in the beginning and that brought back other memories as well.
I am so sorry for the passing of Mel Ware and I offer my condolences to his wife Carol and their family.
I had the privilege of working along side Mel as a carpenter technician in some of his earliest days at Universal.
He was a very a hard worker with... moreI am so sorry for the passing of Mel Ware and I offer my condolences to his wife Carol and their family.
I had the privilege of working along side Mel as a carpenter technician in some of his earliest days at Universal.
He was a very a hard worker with a variety of skills and the desire to complete any job assigned to him to the best of his ability. Taking those skills on to be the lead in the Mill shop is a tribute to his love of doing wood work and his knowledge of his craft.
More important though was his good nature, his love for his family, his constant effort to put a smile on others faces, and a great work ethic that helped many of us get through some of those long nights working the midnight shift at Universal. I am so thankful to have worked with him and to have known him as a friend.
John R. Stout less
Carol Ware
John, thank you for your condolences and for sharing those long ago memories of Mel. I remember those midnight shifts, and though we've never met, Mel spoke of you over the years so I recognized your name when I saw your post.
I first met Mel in the beginning of September of 1997 when I joined the Millshop team at Universal Studios. He had already been working in the shop for a few years when I started. We talked as coworkers do about each others pets, lives, and loved ones.... moreI first met Mel in the beginning of September of 1997 when I joined the Millshop team at Universal Studios. He had already been working in the shop for a few years when I started. We talked as coworkers do about each others pets, lives, and loved ones. One day I told him that my, soon to be, 4 year old Son LOVED Jurassic Park. Universal Studios had a Jurassic Park exhibit that was only going to be open for another week and a half. The next day he had 2 Comp passes for me to take my Son that weekend to see the exhibit. Then I realized how much of a “giving man” Mel Ware was! We worked together the next 2 years fabricating all kinds of woodwork for the park. One of the projects was the Universal Store at the Airport. It was a colossal job, probably the biggest project the shop took on! Mel and myself would get to the shop super early in the morning and grab a vehicle and head over to the store at the airport. We started the installation of every piece of cabinetry that the shop made.
I really got to know Mel during those 2 years in the shop. Not only was he a giving person, but he loved so many other things. He loved movies, photography, beautiful sound, guns, knives, motorcycles, strong coffee, good food, billiards, his family, laughing, and especially woodworking! I left the Millshop after the 2 years to be a coordinator for the maintenance department. However, Mel always stoped by my desk with questions on how something should be fabricated, or where do we order a certain supply from, etc. I would also stop by the shop to check on how a project was coming along, but the conversations always turned to our personal lives. During this time I bought 5 acres and started building a house. Mel had always offered his help during the construction and he helped with setting the trusses and also when it came time to install the trim. Did I mention he was a giving person?
5 years later I had the opportunity to work back in the Millshop and I decided to make the move, and why not, I would be working with Mel again! During this time working with him we had the most fun. Some of the biggest memories are the shop cookouts we would have. Boy did he love those days! Just the mention of food would perk him up! Did I mention he loved food? I also remember that he loved the Tech Service Parties at Wet ’n Wild! He would get enough tickets so that his entire family could enjoy the day as well. When you saw him at the event he was always beaming with delight! Funny thing with Mel, he was always positive and upbeat. He always looked on the bright side of things. Many reviews that I had helped our supervisors write for Mel’s evaluation included this attitude. One observation I wrote “Mel is the employee we should all strive to be!” During this time He and myself would get together after work or weekends to see a local band, or a woodworking show, or some convention. Wow, Mel loved shows and conventions! He loved going from table to table to see what “freebies” were being given away. And if there was food being given away, stand back! One of the shows we had both gone to was the International Woodworking Fair (IWF) in Atlanta. My wife could not go and she wanted someone to go with me so naturally I asked Mel. We planned on leaving Orlando after work on a Thursday and drive up to Atlanta. To get to Atlanta is about a 7 hour drive, so we finally got there just before midnight! When checking in at the hotel, they asked if we wanted a single bed or 2 beds. We looked at each other and both said, “yea, we're good friends, but not that good!” It was always goofy times with Mel! When we got to the room, I remember going into the bathroom and coming out and Mel was already sleeping on the top of the bed still in his clothes! He ended up sleeping like that all night! But boy did he love that show! Big equipment sawing and machining wood, he was in his element!
Mel bought a motorcycle and loved to drive that thing! He drove it to work and on the weekends everywhere! I told him one day where there are some backroads to get to my house in Clermont and he was always coming by just to drive the back roads. There was even one time where myself and another person from the shop rented motorcycles for the weekend and the 3 of us drove over to Crystal River. We had such a good time. Eventually He bought a motorcycle for his Wife and the two of them would go on rides and some of the times they would end up at my house.
One of the conversations Mel and I had was about Home Theater. Boy did he love great sound! Him or I would always have some news about the next great this or that! I always remember him coming into work and saying, “well, I got another pair of speakers!” He would love sitting on my couch for hours and we would listen to snippets of songs or movies!
I worked with Mel up until he could no longer be in the shop. The times we had both in the shop and away from it were joyous. I tried to get with him last year and go to woodworking show in Tampa. When I spoke to Carol on the phone she mention that he does not do woodworking anymore as his memory had deteriorated to that point and he would not be able to go. When I got off the phone with her I cried.
I don’t think there was a better person than he to hang out with. I will always remember his HUGE laugh! Every time you heard it, it would make you laugh as well. Even if you don’t know what the conversation was about! He was a man who loved life to the fullest! He is definitely an individual we should all strive to be like!!! less
Bethany DuVall
Adam, thank you so much for all these wonderful memories of Dad. Yeah, he did love finagling freebies! He was a master negotiator, and had so much fun with it that whoever gave him the deal was smiling just as big as he was when he walked out with the goods.
Carol Ware
Adam, I have a photo of Mel on the motorcycle he rented the day the three of you rode out to Crystal River. I also located a couple more from Universal Studios and will post them.
Adam Krawchuk
Karen and I have been going through our photos and I can’t seem to find any worth posting. Karen looked at the photos of when we were building the house and there are some of him in the distance, but once again, not worthy to post.
Carol Ware
I wanted to name them: We mowed the lawn today. We washed the car today. I went to work today and man, it wore us out! but I couldn't figure out how
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