Melville F. Follett of 324 Paragon Ave. passed away on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014 in the Olean General Hospital, following a short illness.
Mr. Follett was born May 22, 1930 in Olean and was the son of Melville F. and Edith Watson Follett. On Aug. 30, 1953, at the Methodist Church in Belmont, he married his wife of 61 years, Jean Corbin, who survives.
Mel was a 1948 graduated from Olean High. He also graduated from the University of Buffalo, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceuticals. Mel was a second generation Pharmacist, buying FR Brothers Pharmacy from his father in 1953 and in 1956 his sister Molly joined the family business. They ran the Pharmacy for 45 years until their retirement Nov. 1, 1991. Mel also served in the Army National Guard for 15 years.
Mel was a life long member of the St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, where he served on the Church Vestry for 16 years and was a head usher for 15 years. He was a 40 plus year member of the Olean Kiwanis Club, where also served as a member of the board. Mel was a member of the Olean Enchanted Mountains Lodge F & AM #252. He was a former Member of the Enchanted Mountaineers Square Dance Club. Mel and his wife Jean wintered in Flagler, FL for more than 15 years and he was an avid stamp collector.
Along with his loving wife, Mr. Follett is survived by one son, Melville F. (Betty) Follett, III of Hornell; three daughters, Melanie E. (George M.) Nichols of Allegany, Pamela L. (Richard C.) Barton of Tampa, FL, and Natalie M. (Michael J.) Lauber of Buffalo; two grandchildren, Richard N. Barton & Stephen J.P. Follett; three step grandchildren, Amanda, Kevin, & Jeana Lowe; one step great grandson, Damien Root; one sister, Molly E. DiCapua of Olean; and several nieces & nephews.
Friends will be received Today, Nov. 25, 2014 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm in the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. #646 E. State Street Olean. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday Nov. 26, 2014 at 11:00 am in St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. The Rev. Kim E. Rossi, Rector, will officiate. Burial will be in the Mt. View Cemetery, Olean.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the St. Stephen's Memorial Fund, C/O St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, #109 South Barry Street, Olean, New York 14760. Online condolences may be made by clicking on the button above.