Melvin Ellsworth Nine

Melvin E. Nine Jr., 79, of Portsmouth, R.I., passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on September 5, 2019. Melvin was born in Newport, RI to Melvin E. Nine Sr. and Mary F. (Smith) Nine. Melvin was the husband of Stella Nine for 44 years. Melvin, Babe was a lifelong Aquidneck Islander, who loved spending time with his family. Mel spent his youth working on a local farm, learning how to care for animals and the land. He was also an alter boy for St. Johns Church in Newport and at the age of eleven years old, he sang a solo of Our Father. He was a 1959 graduate from Rogers High School. After high school Mel worked for local retailers and then became self employed creating his business for residential trash removal. His business encompassed all of Aquidneck Island. He eventually sold his company and continued to work for the town of Portsmouth as a Fireman and Paramedic from 1971 to 1986. He retired from the fire department and worked as a security guard at the Newport Naval Base. Mel could be found frequenting at Reidys Restaurant, one of his favorite lunch stops to catch up on the local news with his friends. Mel had many passions, he could be found at home tending to his garden of vegetables and fruit trees, he loved fishing and hunting with black powder or rifles. He built two black powder guns for hunting with. Whether at home or at work in the fire department he would become the chef and prepare the meals for the crew or his family. He also loved duck pin bowling, western movies and shows also listening to Johnny Cash. Mel was an all-round handy man and would help neighbors, friends and family with any project. In addition to his wife, Melvin is survived by his sisters, Mary Elizabeth Jones and husband Leon of Arizona, Claudia Nine of Connecticut, his children Dawn Kozakiewicz and her husband Frank of Warren, RI, Jimmy Nine and his wife Corinne of Pawtucket, RI and Lisa Gorton and husband James of Fall River Ma. Two step children, eight grandchildren, fourteen great grand children and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Melvin and Mary Nine, his brother Dennis and his first wife Roberta (Costa) Nine. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 13th, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, with a funeral service to immediately follow in the funeral home at 10:00 AM, at Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, RI. Burial to follow in Newport Memorial Park, in Middletown, RI. Memorial donations can be made to Hospice in East Providence, 1 Catamore Blvd East Providence RI.