Former Variety staffer James Melanson passed away on February 5 at Calvary Hospital in Brooklyn, following a four-year bout with brain cancer. He was 62.
After his stint at Variety Jim hitched up with the the Daily News in 1990 where he worked as associate editor, deputy features editor and copy editor before retiring last October.
A native of Queens, Melanson served in the Army in Vietnam.
His career in journalism included stints as a reporter at Billboard and as TV editor at the New York Post.
The Brooklyn resident was an avid traveler and photographer, interests he often put to use in stories written for The News. He also chronicled his brave three-year battle with brain cancer last June, when Senator Edward Kennedy was similarly afflicted.
He is survived by his wife, Maureen McFadden.
Viewing is Tuesday (Feb. 10), 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 11a.m., at Horne Dannecker O’Connor Funeral Home, 445 W. 43rd St., Manhattan. Cremation will follow at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.
Donations in Melanson’s name may be made to Doctors Without Borders.