Melville Allen Corey, of South Portland, died July 9, 2026 at Maine Medical Center.
Born in Brewer, Maine, on August 19, 1937, Mel is a son of Allen Langley Corey and Lulu (Bennett) Corey of East Eddington, Maine. Mel attended schools in that town and Brewer High School. Joining the US Navy at 17, this small-town boy had an opportunity to visit many foreign countries. Upon his return to Maine, Mel became an apprentice mortician and ambulance driver, and on September 12, 1959, married Patricia (Bowden). The newlyweds moved to Auburn, Maine, where he served an internship at Dillingham and Son Funeral Home and their daughter Kimberly was born.
While living near Boston, Mel became a licensed funeral director and embalmer, graduating from the New England Institute of Anatomy and Physiology. He graduated from the University of Maine Portland-Gorham with a B.S. degree. Mel, Pat, and Kim moved back to Auburn where Mel was offered a job with Dillingham Funeral Home, where he worked for 18 years and raised their family which included daughter Khristine, and twin sons Jay and Jim.
He was a member of the Masons and the Odd Fellows of Maine. Both Mel and Pat were active in Odd Fellows and installed Noble Grand from their respective lodges.
Mel taught basic and advanced first aid throughout the community. He taught industrial First Aid at the International Paper Company in Jay, Maine.
The family developed a love for Mount Katahdin and spent nearly every summer climbing the Maine treasure, a tradition which continues for more than 40 years. The newest generation of grandchildren have taken the torch while, in their 70’s Mel and Pat chose to stay at camp and enjoy the view.
Mel and Pat moved the family to Westbrook and owned and operated several companies in Portland where he taught scuba diving and ran the retail store which sold scuba equipment. Deciding to start a new venture, Mel sold the business and operate a commercial real estate company. Then, off a new challenge, he became a partner at Body Guard which produced truck accessories.
Mel’s hobbies were many. Always comfortable in the mountain, he climbed the three tallest mountains in the continental US. The family sailed and raced around Casco Bay until he and Pat tired of handling those massive sails. Now with a powerboat, the family could cruise from Penobscot Bay to Cape Cod. Winter was spent at their condo at Sugarloaf where all the grandchildren and great grandchildren learned how to ski and snowboard.
Mel is survived by his wife Pat (Bowden) Corey, daughter Kimberly (Corey) Girard from Ocean Park, daughter Khristine (Corey) Fox of Windham, son Jay Corey and his wife Barbara Corey (Reid), and James Corey and his husband Clark Pickett from Seattle, Washington. Known as “Papa”, he has seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
He is also survived by his sister Sandy (Farrington) Corey and sister-in-law Margaret Corey as well as several nieces and nephews and their children. He is predeceased by his parents Allen and Lulu Corey and brother Authur Corey.
The family will be having a private celebration of life. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of South Portland.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.
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I’m so sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful gentleman and will be greatly missed. Love to you all
So very sorry to hear of Mr Corey’s passing. He played a major role in so many lives as we grew up in Westbrook. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten. 💔 sending thoughts and prayers 🙏from the Francoeur’s to entire family.
Oh gosh, I am so very sorry. I remember a lot of great times with the scuba diving gang! So much fun. Thankfully they’re in heaven so he and Joe can’t get into too much trouble!! Although I’m sure Joe at least will try! So truly sorry, Mel is a great man and dad. Big hugs.
I lived on the same street as Mr. Corey in Auburn. He was one of us kids even though he was 20 years older. We climbed Tumbledown Mountain one early spring day and were tricked into thinking we did not need our snowshoes. He and Mr Dillingham spent a lot of their time pulling themselves out of deep snow. He also once told us he knew a clairvoyant that could tell us what cars we pulled over the phone. It tricked us and he had to explain it to us after we begged to know for quite awhile.
I am terribly sorry for your loss. I’ve known Jay for over 25 years and it’s clear that he was raised by great parents. This obituary showed me a man who served his country and his family and had a genuine passion for life. Now his job is done on this earth and may he rest in peace knowing he left a great family to carry on his name and memory.
R.I.P.
Thinking of you.
Thanks to each of you for your kind words. Sincerely The Corey Family – from Pat
Mel was a dear friend to us… Art has so many wonderful memories of different adventures with Mel…he meant a lot to both of us!!!
May his soul be at rest and all of the family be peaceful!!! He was a super great person!! He has left behind a beautiful family!
We loved sharing dinner together at Richard’s German restaurant… Mel & Art each ending the meal with the bake crusted apple with melted ice cream!!! 💕
Art and Elizabeth Dyer
I first met Mel when I was doing sports and we did several stories on SCUBA from ice dives, to underwater tricycling to diving on objects. He literally held my hand so I could participate (got to 32′ ! 🙂 ). We became friends and had lots of fun on his Carver and met frequently for coffee. I can’t forget that he “lent” the Greens his condo on several occasions which provided lifelong memories for our family. I always admired the entrepreneurial spirit of this self-made man who simply adored every member of his family. It was “an honor and a pleasure” to have known Mel. Those were his words, usually spoken when you said thank you for some kindness he had extended to you. I will always remember Mel with great fondness.
We have so many memories of my Uncle. Many Christmases at Grammie Lulu and playing with my cousins. My Dad was his older brother and they enjoyed getting together to talk. His smile was always to same. He still had it the last time I saw him a few months ago. Aunt Pat done a super job taking care of him. Didn’t get to see him much in later years but he will be missed and remembered for all he did for my family. Kim Kris Jay and Jim I send my love to u all and your families. Aunt Pat I know what you are going through it is tough but one day at a time. Love you all!