William O. Melvin Jr., 83, Vero Beach
William O. Melvin Jr., 83, of Vero Beach, formerly of Scarborough, N.Y., passed away March 27, 2020, at his home surrounded by his loved ones.
Bill grew up on the banks of the Hudson River in Ardsley on Hudson, N.Y. He was the eldest of six children of Eileen Monks Melvin and William Oscar Melvin.
In his youth, he attended Immaculate Conception School in Irvington, N.Y. Bill continued his high school education at Portsmouth Abbey School in Rhode Island. He learned some of his most valuable skills, and life lessons during his time at Portsmouth and was forever thankful for his time spent there.
Bill was a leader on both the field and the ice and was named an All-State football player in high school. Bill attended Brown University where he played both hockey and football, and then went on to pursue his lifelong dream of working on Wall Street and joined the Army National Guard to do his part in serving his country in a time of war. It also allowed him to live out a hidden passion for riding motorcycles in the deserts of southern Texas.
Bill spent his life devoted to his career in financial management. He honed his skills on Wall Street before starting his own firm, Acorn Derivatives Management Corporation in White Plains, N.Y. Bill managed some of the largest pension funds in the world until his retirement in 2010.
Besides finance, his greatest passion in life was the game of golf. Bill spent countless days perfecting his skills and walking the hills above the Hudson River at Sleepy Hollow Country Club where he was a member for over 50 years.
In Vero Beach, he was frequently found at The Moorings Yacht & Country Club or Riomar Country Club golf courses.
Bill will always be known as a true gentleman and chivalrous being. His undeniable fondness for witty humor and positivity about the world around him made him a joy to be around. He never shied away from showing his appreciation and affection toward those he loved.
Both Bill and his wife, Ellen, were known for their generous philanthropic ventures. Bill served on the Board of Directors for Phelps Memorial Hospital in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., for many years, and also Bill started the Phelps Memorial Classic golf tournament, which he started in 2003 which has raised millions of dollars for Phelps Hospital in Sleepy Hollow.
As a result of 9/11, there was a need for a Hyperbaric chamber within the Metropolitan area, they rose to the occasion and donated the chamber to Phelps, which helped many burn victims and first responders recover, saving many lives.
They are members of the Eagle Society at the Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital in Vero Beach. In support of Bill’s high school alma mater Portsmouth Abbey School, Bill was a generous donor toward the Mathematics Building which in turn will be named after his favorite math teacher, Fr. Andrew Jenks, whom he gave much credit to his success in life.
Bill and Ellen were also big supporters of the arts and cultural programs in the Vero Beach area.
Bill is survived in death by his beloved wife, Ellen, whom he spent 45 inseparable years with. He is also survived by three of his four children, Melissa Melvin (fiancé Jonathan Deegan), of Irvington, N.Y., Ann Melvin, of Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y., and William & Jen Melvin, of Boulder, Colo., from a previous marriage; his two stepchildren Elyse & John Sullivan, of Willington, Ct., and Gerome White (partner, Marcela Gonzalez), of New York City; his four grandchildren, Taylor Willis, Molly Sullivan, Mary Frances Weinstein, & Daniel Melvin; and one great-grandson, Markus Costa; his five brothers and sisters, Jerome Melvin, of Bethesda, Md., Maria McDonald, of Vancouver, Canada, John Melvin, of San Francisco, Calif., Edith Hardwick, of Waterbury, Ct., and Patricia Melvin, of New York City.
His daughter, Mary Eileen Melvin, preceded him in death.
We would like to thank Trevor Smith for his unwavering care and faithful companionship for almost two years; Bill’s wife will forever be grateful for his attentive care and compassion. We would also like to thank the VNA Hospice of the Treasure Coast for their care of Bill during his final weeks.
Most of you know that Bill held wonderful memories and deep affection for his high school, Portsmouth (Priory) Abbey School. As an expression of sympathy, the family has designated Portsmouth Abbey for memorial contributions in honor of Bill’s life and legacy. Your charitable contribution may either be mailed to Portsmouth Abbey School, Office of Development and Alumni Affairs, 285 Cory’s Lane Portsmouth, Rhode Island 02871 or may be made online at https://www.portsmouthabbey.org/support/give. Kindly specify the gift to be made “In Memory of Mr. William O. Melvin “55”.
A Memorial service to honor his life will be held at a future date.
Sandra Joan Sabin Northfield, 81, Vero Beach
Sandra “Sandy” Joan Sabin Northfield, 81, of Vero Beach, passed away peacefully at home in the morning of Tuesday, March 31, 2020. Her beloved husband, elder daughter, and younger granddaughter were at her side.
Sandy was born in Brockton, Mass., on Nov. 4, 1938, the eldest daughter and middle child of Barbara E. Hill and Edward A. Sabin. She graduated from Mansfield High School in 1956 and went on to study Home Economics at Garland Junior College in Boston, Mass., graduating in 1958.
Sandy married William E. Northfield of Minneapolis, Minn., at the First Congregational Church in Mansfield, Mass., on Sept. 6, 1958. After living in the mid-west for several years where her three children were born, the family settled in Arlington, Mass., in 1967. Sandy was a long-time member of the First Congregational Church in Winchester, Mass., where she served as a Church Deacon for several years. After her three children graduated from college, Sandy earned a degree at the Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School in Boston. Thereafter she worked for several years as a manager at Talbot’s in Osterville, Mass.
Following 10 years living in Osterville, Mass., where she loved life on the Cape, she and her husband spent many wonderful months each year cruising along the Eastern Seaboard from Maine to Key West, and across to the Bahamas. She and her husband finally settled in Vero Beach in 2001.
Sandy became an active member of the Community Church in Vero Beach, where she served as a volunteer on numerous community outreach initiatives.
Children were very important to Sandy; she was deeply involved in tutoring and ready programs at local schools across Indian River County. She also devoted her summers to hosting “Grandma Camp” in Lincoln, N.H., for her grandchildren.
Throughout her life, Sandy was an avid gardener, reader, hiker, sailor, skier, and sportswoman. She played basketball and especially enjoyed playing tennis with her husband and friends at the Riomar Bay Yacht Club and the Quail Valley River Club, both in Vero Beach.
Sandy is survived by her beloved husband of 62 years, Bill; children, Christy, of Vero Beach, Wendy Berman, of Boulder, Colo., Bill Jr., of London, U.K.; grandchildren, Kelechi Nwosu, of Long Beach, Calif.; Chiaka Nwosu, of Vero Beach, and Henry Lembeck, of Boulder, Colo.; siblings, Kent H. Sabin, of Jacksonville, Fla., Judy G. Jackson, of Houston, Texas, Peter E. Sabin, of Warner, N.H.; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
Sandy is predeceased by her parents, Barbara E. Hill and Edward A. Sabin; and dear brother, Christopher E. Sabin.
A memorial service and celebration of Sandy’s life for family and friends will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers to the family, one may wish to consider sending donations in memory of Sandra Northfield to the following organizations: Community Church of Vero Beach, Literacy Service of Indian River County, Quail Valley Charities.