Remembering Beloved Weatherman Dr. Mel

WTNH reported Wednesday that their longtime meteorologist, , 66, passed away.

According to WTNH, Dr. Mel, "had been fighting multiple myeloma for a number of years." 

Dr. Mel, who has been with WTNH since 1986, from the station in October 2011.

Prior to retiring, Dr. Mel had been working from his home weather station and reported about from his porch just hours before his home was badly damaged.  

WTNH reports that VP and General Manager Mark Higgins wrote in an e-mail to station staff, "We not only lost a great journalist today, but a great humanitarian and close friend."

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman released the following statement today regarding Dr. Mel's passing: “Dr. Mel was more than a meteorologist – with his charming character, warm smile and friendly personality, he became an icon in Connecticut and was loved by many. Over the years, he entered the homes of millions of residents and in many ways became a member of our own families. He dedicated his working life to ensuring that the residents of Connecticut were prepared for whatever tumultuous weather system may approach, and for that we are forever thankful. In true Dr. Mel fashion, he always handled himself with grace and dignity. We send our thoughts and condolences to his family, friends and staff at WTNH. He will be missed.”

In November 2011, Dr. Mel was present at Connecticut Hospice in Branford to accept an award on behalf of the facility, which to receive certification as a palliative hospital or end-of-life-care facility. 

At the event he told the crowd, "I’ve lived in this area for decades and I always admired the work was doing but you know, I never thought I might be in a situation where I’d personally be looking to Hospice to help my own situation.” He added, "From a patient’s standpoint, here is a place where you can go and you can really feel the warmth and the love that is in all our hearts. You can see it, feel it, touch it as it comes out and touches the patients that are here.”