Memorial Today to Highlight Life of Activist Bill Mello

Friends and loved ones will gather today to eulogize Bill Mello, the late founder of the Committees of Correspondence who spent his retirement years fighting for government reform and battling against taxes.

Mello, 64, died at USC-University Hospital in Los Angeles on Nov. 9 from complications following open-heart surgery. He was cremated, and a memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. today at the Lake Park Clubhouse.

“Anyone who wants to come is welcome,” said his wife, Grace Mello. “Anyone who wants to will be able to share some of their memories of Bill.”

After retiring as an engineer, Mello turned to civic affairs. He attended his first City Council meeting in Huntington Beach two years ago after becoming outraged over a pension-spiking controversy. He then formed the Citizens Bureau of Investigation to press officials about salaries and benefits.

Two Huntington Beach police officers sued him over his outspoken views, but the suit was later dismissed. He formed the Committees of Correspondence in the summer of 1994 to fight for government reform. The group became a prominent political force after the county’s bankruptcy.

Friend and fellow activist Jim Bridges said he will offer one of the eulogies. He said Mello’s success can be measured by the respect he held at the time of his death.

“Even people who disagreed with him respected him because they always knew he was doing what he believed was right,” Bridges said.