Edgar R. Melanson

HAMPTON - Edgar R. Melanson passed away on October 19, 2025. He was the son of Loretta (Facchini) and Edgar J. Melanson. He was born in Berlin, NH on August 13, 1941.

Ed was educated in Berlin NH schools and graduated from Berlin High School, class of 1959. He graduated from Plymouth State University, receiving a B.Ed. (1965) and later an M.Ed. in School Administration and Supervision (1968). Ed was a fraternity brother of Phi Mu Kappa/Tau Kappa Epsilon as well as the President of TKE at Plymouth State University. Ed attended the Graduate School of the University of New Mexico where he was a member of Phi Alpha Theta, Sigma Chapter, honorary society in history. Ed later received a CAGS degree in School Administration and Supervision from the University of New Hampshire.

Ed was a Vietnam War era veteran (1961-1964), serving primarily in the US Army in Germany where, as an intelligence specialist, he possessed the highest security clearances issued by the US Army and NATO. He was a lifetime member of both the American Legion, Post 17 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 2520.

Ed began his career in education as a teacher in the Plymouth, NH school system (1964- 1965). He continued his career teaching in the Berlin, NH School district where he became an English department chairman, and an assistant principal. Later he was the principal of Lisbon (NH) Regional Schools, followed as the principal of Groveton, NH High School. He left Groveton to become the assistant superintendent of schools in the Berlin School District in 1985. He assumed the position as the superintendent of schools of the White Mountains Regional School District upon leaving Berlin. Following the White Mountains position, he became the superintendent of schools of the Franklin, NH and Hill School Districts. While in Franklin he was also an adjunct professor at the Plymouth State University Graduate School. He ended his career as the superintendent of schools of the Somersworth and Rollinsford, NH School Districts.

Ed was known as the "Technology Superintendent" for his years serving on various state committees in the field of educational technology. He served many years on the NH and National Department of Education's Technology committee. It was said that "Melanson was on the bleeding edge of technology in public education."

In 1998 he was recognized by United States Secretary of Education, Dr. William Bennett, for his dedication to children in the United States. He was also recognized for contributions to the children of New England by the New England Association of School Superintendents in 1999. Ed had been a member of the Executive Board of NH Association of School Principals, President of the NH Association of School Administrators and was the President of the New England Association of School Superintendents.

Ed believed that one way to promote education, in addition to being a superintendent of schools, was to serve on committees dedicated to education in both professional aspects as well as in community organizations. He had been a member of Rotary International in Franklin, NH, where he became its President. He was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow by the Franklin Rotary Club. He later was a member of the Somersworth, NH Rotary club.

Ed was the last Scribe and Trustyman of the New England Exchange of Educational Opinion, an organization in which the six New England Commissioners of Education invited leaders in education from colleges and universities, Superintendents of Schools and others who were recognized as leaders in the field of education in New England to participate in annual conference commonly known as "The October Conference".

Ed retired in 2000. In his retirement years, Ed and his wife, Joyce, spent equal time between their homes in Hampton, NH and Maidstone Lake, VT. They enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, Canada, as well as Europe. France was their favorite country, where they enjoyed perfecting their knowledge and use of the French language.

Reading was one of Ed's passions. He read, on average, 50 novels a year, several daily, weekly newspapers and monthly magazines. He also enjoyed much time investing and monitoring the stock markets. Joyce and Ed were avid downhill skiers for many years.

Ed leaves his wife, Joyce from Hampton (NH) son, Craig and his wife, Kate and their sons, Griffin and Kolin from Berlin (NH); son, Kurt and daughter, Alya from Berlin (NH); son, Brent and his wife, Courtney and their sons, Grady and Maxwell, from Windham, NH. He also leaves two sisters, Jeannette Mullen of Berlin, NH and Theresa Nelson, of Palm Bay, FL. He had several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, October 27, 2025, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. at the Bryant Funeral Home, 180 Hillside Avenue, Berlin, NH, followed by Words of Remembrance beginning at 3:30 p.m. Donations in Edgar’s memory may be made to Plymouth State University, c/o University Advancement Office, 17 High St. MSC 50, Plymouth, NH 03264-1595 or online at give.plymouth.edu (please indicate In Memory of Edgar Melanson). Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.bryantfuneralhome.net.