Los Angeles lawyer Joseph Melchione, a longtime credit unionattorney, advocate, speaker and educator, passed away on Tuesdayfrom lung cancer.

Melchione joined Styskal Wiese & Melchione LLP in 1974 andwas the driving force behind building it into the first law firm inthe country to specialize in serving the credit union industry. From a handful of clients inits early years, the firm to serve more than 350 credit unionsnationwide.

“We have lost a friend, a mentor and a great visionary,” saidBruce Pearson, a partner at Styskal Wiese. “Joe's unfailing beliefin the core values and principles of the cooperative model and itsplace as an essential consumer service has left a long legacyspanning hundreds of clients and helping shape the industrytoday.”

Melchione was instrumental in the development of wide-rangingcredit union legislation and regulations for more than threedecades and was one of the industry's most recognized and requestedspeakers. He also served as a faculty member of Western CUNAManagement School for over 25 years.

“As one of Western CUNA Management School's most popular facultymembers for over two decades, Joe made a lasting impact on hundredsof credit union leaders,” said James Likens, president/CEO ofWestern CUNA Management School. “He brought not only his extensiveknowledge and infectious enthusiasm to our program, but also awonderful sense of fun.”

Robert Fenner, retired general counsel for the NCUA, said, “Ihad the great fortune to know Joe for more than 30 years as afriend and colleague .Beyond having an extraordinary legal mind andunequalled commitment to his clients, it was his dedication andenduring belief in the importance and future of credit unions largeand small that made him such a vibrant part of our community.”

Melchione is survived by his mother, June Ray, and siblings,Joni Alvarado, John Melchione, June Marie Melchione and JillSpinelli, along with his nieces Sophia Alvarado and Jenna Spinelli.Funeral arrangements have not been finalized and will be posted atwww.law4cus.com as servicedetails are completed.