Below is an obituary from Burroughs Funeral Home & Cremation Service:
MURRELLS INLET, SC — James Melzar (Jim), age 80, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2024 at his Murrells Inlet home. Formerly from Wilmington, MA, Jim was born October 13, 1943 to the late Laurence Melzar and Viola Melzar. He graduated from Wilmington High School in 1961 and went on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree from Boston State. He lived on Lake Street for 60 years until his move to SC in 2004. Jim was a teacher in the Wilmington Public Schools for 13 years and then went on to a career in inventory control in the manufacturing industry.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Kay (Zylicz) Melzar, his son, Geoffrey Melzar, his daughter, Tracy Camell and her husband Kevin Camell, his granddaughter Hadley Camell, his sister, Lavinia Syvertson, his brothers and sisters in law Irma Santos, Thomas Zylicz, Bill and Diane Zylicz, Kevin Zylicz, Ralph Miller, Carol Melzar, Edward White, lifelong friends Marsha and George Doucette and Pat and Phil Fleury as well as many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Laurence Melzar and Viola Melzar, his in-laws John and Jeanette Zylicz, his brother Jere Melzar, his sisters Miriam Miller and Martha White, his brothers in law Robert Syvertson and Rick Zylicz.
Even after his move to SC, Jim’s love for all Boston sports was constant throughout his life. He was always watching the Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins and Celtics. You could always find him on the couch watching a Bruins game of TV while a handheld radio was next to his ear listening to the play by play of the Celtics or Red Sox. And although Jim was a quiet man, you always knew when the Bruins got a goal because he’d let out a loud yell every time…SCORE!
Jim was an avid golfer and had vacationed with his friends to Myrtle Beach every year before deciding to move to SC after his retirement in so that he could play all the time. He was a member of the WIMPS Golf Group for over 20 years and was in charge of Monday tee times for many years. He met a lot of wonderful friends through this organization. He was known for practicing golf at Silver Lake in the field or right into the lake, there is no doubt that hundreds of golf balls from Jim’s swings are at the bottom of the lake. He would also get up before sunrise to meet co-workers at the Billerica Country Club at dawn to get in 9 holes before the work day.
Jim was a great baseball player in high school, college and beyond. He played in the Intercity League for the Hosmer Chiefs for 13 years and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2011. He was also named to the Wilmington High School All-Time Baseball Team. He was even invited to tryouts for the New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins after college.
Jim had a kind and gentle soul with all the patience in the world. His quiet demeanor and loving presence made him a magnet for any child he encountered. He was forever a teacher and loved teaching his little friends to explore the world by climbing trees, watching and whistling to the birds, planting flowers, going on walks, swimming in the pool or playing sports. He treasured the quiet times rocking in his recliner with a little one on his lap reading a book, taking a nap or being engaged in conversation.
Being a passionate bird watcher, Jim always had bird feeders and hummingbird nectar out for them. He loved spotting new birds when he moved to SC and kept a list of all the new kinds he saw over the years. Since he was a great whistler, he would love to sit on the front porch and whistle to them…they always answered back. And he was a pro at relocating pesky squirrels (and once a possum) that would interfere with his bird feeders!
Jim had a green thumb that created the most beautiful gardens at his home in Wilmington as well as in Myrtle Beach. His yard was always the envy of the neighborhood and he loved to give tours to show off all the beauty he created. He was famous for sharing the splendor of his garden with all he loved, dropping off cut flowers to anyone and everyone over the years.
Jim’s family wants to thank the wonderful caregivers at MUSC, Tidelands Waccamaw Rehab, NHC and Crescent Hospice for their compassionate care and support for him over the last days of his life.
Services will be private and in lieu of services, please play a round of golf in his honor, pick some flowers from your garden or donate to your favorite charity.
To view this obituary online or to offer words of comfort through the online guest book, kindly visit the funeral home website at, http://www.burroughsfh.com
Burroughs Funeral Home & Cremation Services (843-651-1440) is honored to assist the family.
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