Melindo A. Persi, II

We bid farewell to Melindo Anthony Persi, II, a true friend and beacon of light who departed unexpectedly on August 30, 2025, at age 89.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years Dr. Maureen Marzolla Persi, a daughter, Melinda Persi Redling Shayeb, and his son Jon Paul Persi, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren and his godchild Brooklynn Gorga.

Born in Trenton, New Jersey on October 11, 1935, to his parents Persio Persi and Mary Zarrilli Persi. He attended Trenton State College earning a B.A. in education and a M.Ed. in education at Rutgers University.

Mel Persi enjoyed an illustrious career in New Jersey public education for 69 years, retiring from his interim superintendency in July 2024 from the Marie Katzenbach School for the Deaf. He served as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent in many school districts, fiscal monitor, coordinator of child study team, county superintendent of schools, acting assistant commissioner of New Jersey education. He became the youngest person to become superintendent of schools in NJ at age 27. He was also the chief fiscal officer for the second largest school district in New Jersey. As acting commissioner, he led the state takeover of the third largest school district in New Jersey. As superintendent of schools, he was responsible for the implementation of the school district budget. He taught school finance as an adjunct professor at Rutgers University. He was recognized in 2007 by the American Association of School Administrators as the Distinguished Educator. His military service included being Crew Chief in the United States Air Force NJ Air Guard stationed in Charmont, France, during the Vietnam War.

Mel was national treasurer of Unico, an Italian American service, organization; president and treasurer of two local chapters of UNICO ; chapter chairperson of the American Red Cross; and chairman of the Red Cross, for the states of New Jersey part of New York and Pennsylvania. He had also been elected as Coroner of Mercer County.

He was also an avid NASCAR fan attending many races throughout the country. He collected some 10 classic cars including a military Jeep, which he donated to the NJ Military and Technology Museum in Wall, NJ. Throughout his life he enjoyed taking his cars around the state to car shows.

Mel was devoted to his heritage and worked tirelessly to champion so many Italian American activities like the flag raising ceremony every Columbus Day in Brick, New Jersey. In 2019, he and his wife, Maureen were selected to be the first couple as Grand Marshalls of the Columbus Day parade in Seaside Heights.

He touched thousands and thousands of individuals throughout the state of New Jersey who received the education they needed and deserved because of what he stood for as an educator. Many may not even remember his name, but they became better citizens as adults because of his influence. He was a

strong and effective leader for so many. If you were lucky enough to know, Melindo Persi, then you were lucky enough. His favorite saying was, “If you rest, you rust!” He proudly left behind his 69-year career as an educator in New Jersey.