Retired North Haven Police Sergeant Thomas “Tom” Mele Jr., 85, of Pine River Road, North Haven, passed away peacefully on July 26. Tom was born in New Haven on Nov. 20, 1937, and was the son of the late Thomas Mele Sr. and Florence Gaudio Mele.

He served his country faithfully in the U.S. Navy on the USS Forrestal aircraft carrier. Tom earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice from the University of New Haven and served on the North Haven Police Department for over 40 years until retiring as a sergeant.

Tom was a UConn women’s basketball fan. He always enjoyed a good meal with his friends, and they would travel anywhere in New England for breakfast or seafood. He is the father of Diane Shaw (William), Ronald Mele (Karin), and Stephen Mele; grandfather of Stephanie Denyer (Mike), Erin Shaw, Christian, Stephen, Brenden, and Michael Mele. He was predeceased by his brother Louis G. Mele. The family would like to extend a special thank you to all the nurses and staff at Hamden Health & Rehab for the excellent comfort and care they provided.

The visiting hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 28, at The Havens Family, North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at noon on Saturday morning, July 29, in St. Elizabeth of the Trinity Parish at St. Therese Church, 555 Middletown Avenue, North Haven. Interment with full military honors will follow in All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Parkinson Association, P.O. Box 248, Shelton, CT 06418. www.northhavenfuneral.com