September 28, 2024
In loving memory ~
1931 - 2024
Melvin was born in Wilkie, Sask. He loved the outdoors and yet had the ability to keep very busy in the house. For example at a surprisingly young age he would do things like take apart the family toaster and then he was able to put it back together again, and have it work!. Even still, school was not his passion though he loved to learn well into later years.
He left for Edmonton to take the opportunity to learn welding around the age of 19 and returned to Wilkie to open up business in the back of a blacksmith's shop. He kept busy with many jobs that took him all the way from Ontario to northern Alberta and BC. He always seemed to return to Wilkie and then when a young Rose Antoni came home to Wilkie he would devote all his time and dancing to her. They loved being together and worked that way throughout their almost 62 years of marriage.
In 1957 they added a daughter to their little family and loved life immensely.
In '62 he took a course to become an auto mechanic. Part of one job was that he also had to drive the tow truck, only this one was missing the windows in the doors. One night he was out in minus 40 degree weather and decided life would definitely be better in the Okanagan. He came home and announced the new plan and his wife, Rose, was happy to go anywhere just to work alongside the love of her life. They packed up and began the next phase of life throughout the Okanagan. He followed his brother Gordon into the career of selling Electrolux vacuums door to door, he loved it! That led them to settle in Grand Forks, BC. His creativity came out strongly when he decided they would build an earth sheltered home in nearby Christina Lake. The trades all went on strike so he just learned how to do it all on his own. Next they downsized back to Grand Forks, they joined the Seniors Club there and loved to gather and play cards and dance with all their friends and once again Dad used his skills to repair and update the building whenever needed.
His sweetheart passed away in June, 2016 and he stayed in Grand Forks for a while but soon came to live in Calgary to be closer to his daughter and family. Dementia crept into his life and though he still enjoyed the music and dancing, he needed to move again, to Care Homes, one in Tudor Manor, Okotoks and then into Age Care Walden Heights. We, as a family, are so grateful for all the wonderful people that touched his life and helped him so much in his time of need, thank-you!!
Dad finally made his last move to return to our Lord on Saturday, Sept. 28th, 2024. He will truly be missed by family, friends and caregivers. We all feel fortunate to have spent time in his company over the years and helping him through the last few.
There will be a funeral mass for him at 11:30 at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, at 10 Prestwick Road SE, Calgary, Alberta. Please join us afterwards for a light lunch and to gather and share memories. The Interment will occur at a later date in Wilkie, Sask.
If you feel the need to give something, please donate to your local food bank, I think he would have loved to help feed others.