Lowell David Melvin

Age 61, passed away peacefully in home in Attica, NY after a courageous battle with a multi-faceted illness on May 19, 2020. He is survived by his longtime live-in companion, Leigh Squiers and his son and granddaughter, Larry and Gabrielle Schafer of Wysox, PA. Lowell is also survived by his step parents, Marlin “Rod” and Maureen Mills of Bentley Creek, PA. He had four sisters; Candice (Dwayne) Waldron of Binghamton, NY, Carine (Fred) Talada of East Smithfield, PA, Cindy (Jeff) Wray of Columbia Crossings, PA., and Christine (Timothy) Watkins of Troy County, PA. Lowell is also survived by his brother Lemoyn “Pete” Melvin of Tuscon, AZ. Lowell was predeceased by his parents, Mary Timmerman and David Melvin, and his brother, Marlin “Marney” Mills.

Lowell was born in Santa Anna, CA where he spent his early childhood. He and his family then moved to Pennsylvania and he graduated from SRU High School in East Smithfield, PA where he excelled in mathematics, mechanics and was also a wrestling and track champion. He was a licensed plumber, mason and fireman and a profestional musician of good repute. He was an expert industrial sewing machine mechanic working for Sara Lingerie then Lee Manufacturing, a job that took him as far north as Alaska. Later he moved to Batavia, NY to work for Milton Mfg. then for P.W. Minor in the capacity as a sewing machine mechanic for both as well as freelance jobs of the same. Later he worked for Affordable Floorcovering of Batavia, and then Warren’s Carpet Cleaning in Warsaw, NY where he supervised was their fleet mechanic until the business burned down in 2013. He worked remodeling with Leigh in her business for a while then worked at Brach Machine in Batavia as a machinist until he became fully disabled in 2016.

Lowell was well liked by all that knew him, always helping out those around him. He was a gentle giant of a man; an angel here on earth. He was the “go-to-guy” for any variety of mechanical issues with talent that knew no boundary. Lowell was a consummate hunter and fisherman. He also enjoyed restoring and racing cars before he fell ill. He will be sorely missed. Memorial service will be held at home at a later date as well as in Pennsylvania.