Leon Russell Melanson Jr., 77, of Grafton, passed away December 20, 2023 at the David James Hospice Wing of the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford after a third battle with cancer.

He was born August 12, 1946 in Worcester, son of the late Leon Russell Melanson Sr. and Eva (Labbe) Melanson.

He leaves behind his wife of 49 years, Diane (Dolegiewicz) Melanson of Grafton; his children, Corey Melanson of Grafton, and Alana Melanson and husband Adam Casten of Chelmsford; his brother, Donald Melanson and partner Sue of Sutton; and other relatives.

Russ grew up in Grafton, graduating from Grafton High School in 1964. He was a talented artist in his younger years, and briefly went to art school.

Russ honorably served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War era. He was stationed in Mannheim, Germany, and served as a cook and baker for his fellow troops. He loved to regale his family and friends with tales of his adventures in Germany and travels around Western Europe, especially his train trips to the Netherlands in his off-duty time. Back at home, he served as commander of the Alfred J. Demers American Legion Post #37 in South Grafton for several years, and was active in the local veterans community.

After his time in the service, he worked as a machinist at Norton Company (later Saint-Gobain) in Worcester for 34 years. In his retirement, he also held jobs as a truck detailer for Budweiser in Auburn and as a custodian for St. James Church in South Grafton. His love of cooking also stuck with him after his years in the service, and he would often make great big breakfast feasts for his family on the weekends, as well as his signature kielbasa and rigatoni dish.

For decades, he was a regular at the Polish Club in South Grafton, where his portrait hung for over 20 years until the Polish National Home was sold and torn down. When he wasn’t inside the club earning free drinks thanks to his prowess at the pool table, Russ was outside working on his beloved cars. In earlier years, he proudly raced his Pontiac GTO and Pontiac LeMans in road races in Sutton. Aside from his cars, his favorite pastimes included watching football and crime dramas, music trivia, and gambling. Up until his last week, Russ played the lottery and scratch tickets almost daily. He also enjoyed fishing, especially along the Cape Cod Canal.
At his request, no funeral service or calling hours were held.