Paul R. Melnik

Old Orchard Beach

It is with profound shock and sadness that the family of Paul Robert Melnik, of Old Orchard Beach, formally of Florence, Massachusetts, announce the unexpected passing on Saturday, January 31, 2026 due to complications related to his lifelong battle of Type 1-Brittle Diabetes. Paul fought his battle with Diabetes since being diagnosed at the age of 7 until his passing, with tenacity, resilience, and determination. Refusing to not let it hold him back from what he loved in life, he fought hard until the very end.

He was born in Northampton, Massachusetts on March 18, 1970, a son of Michael and Patricia (Lovett) Melnik. Paul was educated in the Northampton School System, and graduated from Smith Vocational High School, class of 1988.

Paul's strong work ethic started at a young age and continued throughout his life. He had a love for building and for working with lumber.  Early in his career he worked for ten years with Street Lumber Company, staying with them up until the company closed for business.  He then transitioned to maintenance with Linda Manor Nursing where he found a new passion of working with the elderly, which was fitting as Paul was an old soul at heart.  Paul's desire to be near family and nature was the deciding force in moving to Maine. His strong ties to the lumber industry and working with his hands continued after moving to Maine. Paul worked for Thornton Academy's maintenance department before obtaining a position at Hancock Lumber, and later with Deering Lumber.

Paul's hobbies and interests were numerous, having mostly to do with nature and the outdoors.  As a young man in Massachusetts he enjoyed deer hunting.  He was never disappointed when hunting season came to an end and he didn't tag a deer. In his many decades of hunting, his tag collection was small but he would tell anyone who commented that it wasn't about how many tags he had, it was being in nature. Surrounded by creatures big and small, sounds and sights people never get to experience.  The wolves that surrounded his tree stand in the darkness of dawn, the beautify owls, foxes, wolverines, that he wouldn't have seen if he was constantly looking down the scope. Throughout his life he had a passion for fishing with his dad, which they did together practically every weekend. Shark fishing with his dad was one of the highlights of his life. Paul also never got the chance to beat his sister's Jen's biggest fish catch on their father's boat. Even though he tried to say his shark counted, she never let him live it down. Paul also took great pleasure in cooking and baking, photographing nature, gold panning and metal detecting.

Most of all, he loved his family and friends and the time they spent together. He will be sadly missed. Those who knew Paul, loved him.  He loved fiercely and forever.  Never to take love or friendship for granted.

Paul is survived by his parents, Michael and Patricia Melnik; by his two brothers, Michael Melnik and wife Dorothy, their son Christian, and Stephen Melnik and wife Tiffany, Stephen's son, Logan Melnik and his wife Petra, and their sons, River and Ryder, and Stephen's step-daughter Michelle Reynolds; and by his best friend and sister Jennifer Melnik and her fiancé David Scott; by his life-long, best friend & "brother" Kevin Rule; as well as by his many aunts, uncles, and cousins.  He was predeceased by both sets of grandparents, and his Uncle Robert Lovett.

A Graveside Service will be held at 11AM on Friday, April 24, 2026 at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Biddeford.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Paul to the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org