Rehoboth, Mass., farrier Thomas Mello unexpectedly passed away Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016. He was 69.

Mello grew up working on his parent’s dairy farm and later served in the Massachusetts Army National Guard. After attending the farrier school at the University of Maine, Mello served his apprenticeship under James Mitchell of Johnston, R.I. Mello was a farrier at many New England area racetracks and most recently at Plainridge Park, where he worked for the past several years.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, 2016, at William A. Tripp Funeral Home, 1008 Newport Ave., Pawtucket, R.I.

The funeral will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. in Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church, Coyle Dr., Seekonk. Interment will follow at Oak Knoll Cemetery, Rehoboth.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 26 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, N.Y., 10004 will be appreciated.

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