Life Goes On by John Melillo

A veteran of the Vietnam War who suffered a life-changing case of PTSD, John Melillo retired and spent four years trying to reconcile harrowing flashbacks that plagued him. He discovered an untapped artistic talent and began diving head-first into painting, a process that led to the creation of 70 paintings, including a series addressing his war experience.

Early Life and Education

John Melillo was born in Port Chester, New York on December 23, 1957. He attended Corpus Christi Catholic School in Port Chester and Iona Prep in New Rochelle, New York from 1972 to 1973.

During the early 1970s, he was drafted and shipped off to Vietnam, where he served as a Military Police Officer (MP) at Long Binh Post, the largest U.S. base in the country.

While in the Army, he received several honors including the Bronze Star and the National Defense Service Medal. He was also a finalist for NASA’s “Teacher in Space Program.”

After serving as an MP, Melillo began his career in music education and worked as an arranger for school programs across the country. He was later a director of elementary education in Hamden, Connecticut.

Professional Career

East End painter john melillo has turned his battle with PTSD from the Vietnam War into a thriving art career. His work has been shown and sold all over the United States, and he’s received a number of accolades from veterans groups.

He is also an accomplished composer who has written film scores and concert works. He is also the founder of STORMWORKS, an international music publishing and distribution system that has been embraced by virtually every publisher and composer worldwide.

In addition to his artistic achievements, he has served as a commissioned composer for 17 feature films and 28 network television programs, and has composed music for video games and computer applications. He is also known for advancing MIDI technology and self-publishing, which has become a standard in the digital music industry.

Achievements and Honors

A producer, entertainment executive, sonic strategist, music supervisor, licensing specialist and music publisher with strong creative skills, technical abilities and business chops, john melillo has been an integral part of the music industry. His achievements include founding the first division within a major music company to provide a creative bridge between the mainstream music business and the world of branded communication, essentially heralding in the era of convergence between the two media.

As a composer, he has written a number of film scores and concert works, including the award-winning Kakehashi: THAT WE MIGHT LIVE (nominated for a Pulitzer Prize). He also studied and developed a unique approach to education, focusing on music composition that helps students better understand mathematics and science. He authored a curriculum guide demonstrating the intersection of math and science using computer-sequenced music making.

Personal Life

John Melillo turned his struggles with PTSD into a flourishing art career. In his aptly titled show Life Goes On, now on display at Southampton Cultural Center through November 3, the East End artist shows 70 paintings, including a series directly related to his Vietnam War service.

During his time as an MP (Military Police) at Long Binh Post, the largest U.S. base in Vietnam from 1970-1972, Melillo encountered a wide range of difficult and painful situations on both sides of the wire that left an indelible mark on him.

After his retirement in 2014, he discovered an untapped well of artistic talent within him and decided to take it head-on. Today, four years later, he is proud to have found peace in his artistic endeavors.

Net Worth

A former professional baseball player, john melillo has an estimated net worth of $325-499K. He primarily earns from his work as a manager of public relations for Carteret Savings & Loan Assn in Denver, CO.

He is also the founder of Stonk CEOs, a stock investing community for the common man. The finance major is seeking to change the way personal finance and building wealth are taught to future generations by leveraging the popularity of TikTok with his passion for investment.

Melillo, a Vietnam veteran, has a deep connection to the East End and his paintings showcase scenes that represent places that have been a part of his life. He is currently working on a new exhibition, Life Goes On Part 2, which will open in November at South Country Center for Art & Technology.