Melvin M. Prada, 71, died Monday, May 13, 2013 unexpectedly at his home. He was the husband of Katherine “Katie” R. (Staab) Prada.

Born in Boston, the son of the late Herman E. & Emma A. (Legere) Prada, he moved to Wareham in 1948.

Mr. Prada was the owner and operator of Prada’s Diner in Wareham for many years. He began working with his parents at the diner in 1964, purchasing it from them in 1971. Along with his wife, he continued to run the diner until his retirement in 2004. Prior to working at the diner, Mr. Prada worked with his father as an usher the Wareham Theatre, then for Wareham Pharmacy, Del’s Taxi, Hell’s Blazes, St. Patrick’s Cemetery and also at the former BOMARC missile site at OTIS AFB.

Mr. Prada was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Damien Council # 4190 in Mattapoisett and a strong supporter and former coach of Wareham Little League. He was a loving husband and best friend to his wife and a beloved father, “Papa”, brother and uncle.

Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Sheri Clayton and her husband Brian of Wareham; Lori Ellis and her husband Jeff of E. Wareham; his son, Gregory Prada of Homestead, FL; two brothers, Kenneth E. Prada of E. Falmouth, Glenn A. Prada of E. Wareham; two sisters, Loretta A. Spooner and Janice E. Porter both of Wareham; his grandchildren, Richard Prada Ruiz, Joseph Prada Ruiz, Catrina Williams Prada, Samantha Prada Putzig, Deven Prada, Amilya Putzig, Sean Prada, Jeffrey Ellis, Jr.; his step-grandchildren, Alexander Clayton, Jennifer Leatherdale, Daniel Clayton and Mathieu Clayton and two great granddaughters, Eva and Emma Prada. He was predeceased by his sister, the late Drina A. Donnelly.

His funeral will be Tuesday, May 21, 2013 from the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Highway (Rt. 28), Wareham at 9:00 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick’s Church, High St., Wareham at 10:00 AM. Interment will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Wareham. Visiting hours will be Monday from 4 – 8 PM.

Donations in his memory may be made to Southcoast VNA, 200 Mill Rd., Fairhaven, MA 02719 OR Southcoast Cancer Center, 200 Mill Rd., Fairhaven, MA 02719. For directions and on-line guestbook visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com