HAROLD R. "HAL" MELKONIAN

Hal was a physical education teacher for the Warwick School Department for many years before retiring. He attended Gorton High and graduated in 1942 where he was co-captain of the division winning baseball team and also played end on its football team. After serving in the U.S. Army during WW-II, he graduated from URI where he was a four year member of the varsity baseball team. In 1949 he was elected captain of the team that advanced to the NCAA tournament. Hal also played football at URI where he was a starting guard. For his achievements, he was selected to the URI Athletic Hall of Fame. After graduation, he played and coached Cape League baseball and was directly responsible for the roster of a team that won 47 games and lost 7. In 1950, Hal played at Grand Falls, New Brunswick and was asked to take over as manager and did. In 1951, he took his own players to Grand Falls and won the championship. In 1952 he returned and again won the championship with future major league pitchers, Dave Stenhouse and Ron Perranoski. In the 1970's, he was the only one in RI to coach two American Legion teams to the Legion World Series and the only one in N.E. to coach a number one baseball draft pick in both high school and American Legion baseball.

Harold was the loving and devoted father of Harold R. Melkonian, Jr. of Warwick and the late Mary Melkonian; and dear brother of Albert Melkonian of South Yarmouth, MA, Irene Zartarian of Warwick and the late Florence Hedison.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Service Monday at 11:00 a.m. in Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church, Providence, and may call at the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME, 1278 Park Ave., Cranston on Sunday 4-8 p.m.

Interment with Military Honors will be at North Burial Ground Cemetery in Providence.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church, 70 Jefferson St., Providence, RI 02908.