Melvin "Mel" Sory

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Mel Sory on January 10, 2017 following a stroke he suffered on December 27, 2016. Mel was born in Merced on May 1, 1939 and shortly thereafter moved to Monterey. He attended local schools and graduated from Monterey High School in 1958. Mel was an outstanding athlete, earning All League honors in football and basketball. He was an avid sports fan, being faithful to the 49ers and Giants all his life, but his greatest love of sports was golf and he played every golf course in the immediate area and beyond with his golfing buddies for well over fifty years. Mel worked in the wine and liquor industry for several years until he had to retire early due to serious health issues. After recovering from his heart problems, he resumed his love of chasing those little white balls on the golf courses, mostly at Old Del Monte Golf Course. Before his sudden illness, he was doing what he liked best, playing eighteen holes with the guys and ending the day around the table playing gin rummy. He was predeceased by his parents, Ralph and Mamie Sory, his sisters, Vivian Pray, Geraldine Williams and Charlotte Corah and his brothers-in-law, Carlos Pray, Eugene Short, Marty Williams and Fred Long and his sister-in-law, Pat Mosolf Stevens and her husband, Jack Stevens. Mel married the love of his life, Susie (nee Mosolf) and they spent the past thirty-five years together when they realized they had been meant for each other all along. Mel is survived by Susie and his three daughters, Rachel (Dan) Shively of Washington, DC, Suzanne Porter (Doug) of Salem, Oregon and Tonya Berlin (Harold) of Brentwood, California. He also leaves his stepchildren, Sandra Hamilton of Clarksville, TN and Christopher Hanscom of Gilroy, California in addition to thirteen grandchildren and two great granddaughters. Also surviving are his brother, Ralph Sory, sisters, Carolyn Short, Virginia Long, Gloria (John) Crivello, Ruth (RG) Nutt, Yvonne (Roger) Burright, his brothers-in-law, Michael, Tim and Terry Mosolf and many nieces and nephews. At his request, cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will be held at a later date to honor this very special man who was so loved by his family and friends. Service Information