Joshua W. Mellen

Joshua Mellen, 32, of Uxbridge, MA was suddenly called home on Saturday morning, May 2nd, after fighting a long, arduous battle with addiction.

Joshua is survived by his mother Deborah Lockhart Smart; his significant other and love of his life, Kristy Fisher, and their two children Brock Mellen (age five) and Maizie “monkey-butt” Mellen (age two); his loving sister Ashley Mellen and his nephew Talon Wayne Mooney; his brother Alex Mellen; his maternal grandfather Ronald Lockhart and paternal grandmother Dorothea Mellen; along with his father, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends (particularly his Wolfpack). Joshua was pre-deceased by his maternal grandmother Rachel Lockhart. 

Joshua was an avid believer in Jesus Christ and, despite his struggles, his desire to carry out God’s will was a consistent presence in his mind. Being the charming, charismatic man that he was, Josh had an uncanny ability to shift the entire tone of a situation or event with his compelling words and magnetic sense of humor. Josh loved to sing and dance (he referred to his dance skills as “phenomenal” even though they were mediocre at best), loved dogs (especially Whippets) and, in his earlier years, he enjoyed playing bass and singing in bands, partaking in extreme backyard wrestling, relentlessly teasing his sister, filming absurd stunts with his friends, dirt biking, four- wheeling, acting and wrestling. Josh’s interest in wrestling turned into an immense passion for mixed martial arts. He became a professional MMA fighter and it was in this environment that he said he found his calling. Josh also found joy in instructing, training and spreading his knowledge and passion for MMA to others.

Perhaps more than anything, though, Josh loved being a father. Josh had always dreamed of creating a family of his own and this dream came true every day with Kristy, Brock and Maizie. Still a child at heart, Josh was determined to pass down his intricate knowledge of Marvel superheroes to his children. In the eyes of his children, he was the Incredible Hulk, except this version of the green Bruce Banner let his daughter paint his nails, wore blueberry shortcake scented lotion from Bath and Body Works, and wouldn’t hurt a fly (really…he refused to kill any insects, even spiders). What this Hulk did do, however, was love his children, family, girlfriend and friends with an insurmountable fierceness. This Hulk could deadlift twice his body weight and open the toughest jar of pickles. He could lift his son up to the ceiling and make him feel like he was touching the sky. This Hulk could fight the toughest of battles internally, constantly pitting the monster in his mind against the superhero he knew he could be, while externally emanating happiness, perseverance and strength. This Hulk was not invincible, but he was larger than life. He was Daddy. He was Mellenhead. He was the Juggernaut. He was Josh. And we would choose him over the entire Marvel universe any day.

A celebration of Josh’s life will take place at a later date due to CDC guidelines and restrictions on social gatherings.

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