Christopher-Mello-Obituary

Christopher D. Mello

Boston, Massachusetts

1976 - 2001

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Cartoons at Conference Calls

Christopher D. Mello was handsome. (He had "a kinetic smile," said his father, Douglas Mello.) He was athletic. (He led his high school football team to the New York State finals.) He was polite. (He wrote a thank- you note to his interviewer after getting into Princeton.)

At 180 pounds, he was too slender even for Ivy League football, so he turned to rugby at Princeton. In Boston, where he worked as an analyst for Alta Communications, he took up boxing.

But Mr. Mello was also a poet, a film buff and an artist. "If there was one thing Chris would have wanted to do, it was be a cartoonist," said his girlfriend, Kristy Walsh. An aficionado of "Garfield" and "Calvin and Hobbes," Mr. Mello created his own cartoon characters and would doodle during pauses in his countless conference calls.

A father and a girlfriend see a man through different lenses, but both agreed that Mr. Mello was exceedingly loyal to friends. Ms. Walsh recalled the day she and Mr. Mello drove four hours to see her sister perform a three-minute dance piece. Two thousand people came to the wake after he died on Flight 11. He was 25.

After Sept. 11, Ms. Walsh learned that Mr. Mello had saved a valentine she sent him in fifth grade.

Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on November 13, 2001.


Christopher D. Mello, 25, of Boston, Massachusetts, formerly of Rye, New York, a victim of the American Airlines Flight 11 catastrophe, died on Tuesday, September 11, 2001.

Chris was born on June 22, 1976 in Greenwich, Connecticut, to Douglas and Ellen Mello. He was an outstanding student and athlete at Rye High School, graduating in 1994. He was loved by students, teachers and coaches, alike. Chris was vice president of the senior class and a member of the National Honor Society, maintaining an academic average of 93.84. Chris received the University of Michigan Book Award for Academic Excellence and received a Magna Cum Laude grade on the 1993 National Latin Exam. An active participant in varsity sports, Chris was a member of the varsity football team and served as a co-captain in 1993. The team went on to the New York State finals, where Chris was voted the most valuable defensive player of the tournament. He was also presented with the Golden Dozen Scholar Athletic Award for both his on-field and academic achievements. He was also a member of the varsity basketball and baseball teams and was voted Con-Edison’s athlete of the week in 1993. While at Rye High School, Chris was a model United Nations representative, student leader of the Core Group, a member of Student’s Against Drunk Driving, the Principal’s Student Union Advisory Board, Class Yearbook, Student Council, and the Sportsmanship Committee. He performed more than 200 hours of community service.

Chris graduated from Princeton University in 1998, where he majored in Psychology and was vice president of the Cottage Club, and a member of the men’s Rugby Club, Kappa Alpha Order fraternity, and the 21 Club.

Chris, who enjoyed playing golf with his family, was a member of the Apawamis Country Club in Rye, New York, and the Rye YMCA.

He worked as a financial analyst at BT Alex Brown in Baltimore, Maryland, before moving to Boston, Massachusetts, where he worked as an analyst for Alta Communications.

In addition to his parents, Douglas and Ellen Mello of Rye, Chris is survived by his brother, John Douglas Mello, also a graduate of Princeton University and avid athlete. J.D. resides in Manhattan, New York. Chris is also survived by his paternal grandmother, Alice Mello of Barefoot Bay, Florida.

Visiting hours are scheduled for Sunday, September 16, 2001, 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., at Graham Funeral Home, 1036 Boston Post Road, Rye. Memorial services are scheduled for Monday, September 17, 11 a.m., at Resurrection Church, 910 Boston Post Road, Rye.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made in Chris’ memory to the Rye YMCA at 21 Locust Street, Rye, NY 10580.

Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

I'm thinking of Chris and his family today, as I do so often. I will never forget him.

Thinking of Chris today. He was so full of life. I think of him often — as do so many others who knew him. All the best to the Mello family.

Dear Ellen and Doug, this is Georgia formally of the Rye YMCA. I just wanted you to know that although so many years have passed I was thinking about you and Christopher. Thank you for the Memorial Coin you gave me after his passing. It is your strength and courage that left an indelible mark on me forever. I hope all is well. God bless.

thinking of you and your family today

Thinking of you often and the sacrifice you made. You are missed my friend.

Thinking of you today, Chris. Although I think I only met you at family gatherings once or twice, I share in the Mooney family's sadness at such a senseless loss. This day will never go by without me saying a prayer for you.

Christopher's flag in IL

I did not know Christopher D. Mello. My wife and I purchased a US Flag in Oak Brook IL last year, in 2017, during a 911 tribute. Of the thousands of flags available to purchase, my wife chose Christopher. Wanted to let you, the family know, that we fly this flag in honor of Christopher and the many others that lost their life's that day.
I proudly fly this flag at my home in North Riverside, IL.

I recently visited the 9-11 memorial and saw Chris' name and decided to look him up. I am so glad I did. What an exemplary example of an All-American man. I am sorry for your loss, but truly blessed by the positive and uplifting life he led.