Melvin F. Covell Jr.

November 24, 1932 - March 27, 2017

CANAAN – Melvin F. Covell, Jr., 84, of Canaan, Vt., passed away at the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook with members of his family by his side on Monday evening, March 27, 2017. He was born at the family home in Colebrook on Nov. 24, 1932, a son to the late Melvin F. Covell, Sr., and Pearl (Hazzard) Rowan. He was raised in Colebrook, and then served in the U.S. Army from 1953-54 as a military police officer. Upon his return to the north country, Melvin worked for awhile as a mechanic and in the woods, and then later as a heavy equipment operator for different construction companies. He worked for the town and for Sheldon Gray as a grader and crane operator, later purchasing his own grader to be self-employed for many years. He loved to hunt, especially deer, and he loved to be in the woods in Pittsburg. He was a quiet man, and a loving father who was always there for his family. He is survived by his two children, Charlotte Chick and husband Michael of Elliot, Me., and a son Frederick Covell of Arizona; a brother, Joseph Covell and wife Ruth of Milford, NH; a sister, Laura Bouthillier of New Jersey; a grandson, Justin Chick and a great-grandson, Cayden Chick; as well as his close niece and nephew, Audie Porter and Wally Covell. He is preceded in death by his brother, Walter Covell. There will be no public calling hours. A private graveside service at the Colebrook Village Cemetery will be held in the summer. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook.