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“The passing of Thomas Melady brings great sadness to me personally and to the entire Sacred Heart community. I have known Tom for more than 25 years, including as a Board of Trustees member during his tenure as president. He was a forward-thinking visionary who led Sacred Heart as it emerged from a local commuter school to an acclaimed regional university,” Sacred Heart University President John J. Petillo said in a statement. “His impact continues to be evident in Sacred Heart’s current success as well as in its reputation as a caring, inclusive community where all are treated with respect and dignity.”
Melady served as an American ambassador under three presidents and as a sub-cabinet officer for a fourth and remained active in foreign affairs and international relations throughout his career. Since 2002, he had served as senior diplomat in residence at The Institute of World Politics in Washington, D.C.
After his graduation from high school he served in the U.S. Army from 1945–1947, then graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Duquesne University in 1950 and went on to earn a master’s and doctorate from The Catholic University of America. He taught at St. John’s, Fordham University and George Washington University during his career.
Melady was an authority on Afro-Asian and Central European Affairs. He is the author of 16 books and hundreds of articles. He has received honorary doctorates from 30 universities and been honored by six countries.
Among his survivors are his wife, Margaret, and two children.
Sacred Heart University has planned a memorial mass for Tuesday, Jan. 14, at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit on the University’s Fairfield campus.
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