Meldon Amos Dodge

Obituary of Meldon Amos Dodge October 1, 2015 It is with great sorrow that the family of Meldon “Mel” Dodge, of Oswego, announces his passing on Thursday, October 1, 2015, after a long illness. He was born in Bundyville, NY on April 22, 1929 to the late Frederick and Marion Baker Dodge. Mel had many interests and business endeavors throughout his life. He was employed with Osborne Paper Mill, Columbia Mills as a machinist and Nestles as a mechanic in his early years. He had owned several businesses of his own with his wife, Georgia, including Gold Crown Billards, The Sandwich Truck, Coin-Op Amusements and Putman & O’Brien Corporation. Mel was the Quartermaster for Scriba V.F.W. for many years. He was also a stock car driver and began racing in 1949. It was Mel and Dante Raponie who first talked Harry Caruso to go and see a race. Harry became so enthused with racing he decided to sponsor Mel’s car. In 1951 Harry opened The Oswego Speedway and Mel ran most of the decade missing only 1952-1953 season to serve in the US Navy. In 1965 Mel decided to retire from racing to work full time in his business Coin-Op Amusements. In 1987 they bought out the Putman & O’Brien Corporation and merged it with Coin-Op which is still running today under the name Putman & O’Brien. Mel was an intelligent business man, beloved husband and a loving father and grandfather. He will be missed by many but has left an incredible legacy that will live on. Mel was predeceased by his daughter, Laurie Dodge in 1988; brother, Gordon (Barbara) Dodge; two sisters, Elizabeth (Cyril) Edmunds and Edith (Hubert) Abbott. He will be greatly missed and forever loved by his wife, Georgia Bellinger Dodge; seven children, Joseph (Patricia) Dodge, Barry Dodge, Valorie (Edward) Oleyourryk, Rebecca (Robert Gilmore) Dodge, Brenda (Thomas) Fletcher, Frederick Dodge and Melanie (Scott) Dodge-Stafford; ten grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren; one sister, Doris (Joseph) Welch as well as several nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be on Monday, October 5 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Foster Funeral Home, 910 Fay Street, Fulton. A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Volney.