MEL MCDONALD

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MEL MCDONALD September 26, 1923 - June 23, 2011 Following a lengthy illness Mel passed away enveloped in the warmth of his family's love. Mel was born in Winnipeg on September 26, 1923 and lived his entire life here. He grew up on Polson Avenue enduring the tough times of the Great Depression and was always proud of his North End roots. With the Second World War raging, in 1940 he lied about his age and enlisted in the Canadian Navy at the age of 17 years. He served onboard the corvette, HMCS Louisbourg and the minesweeper, HMCS Kentville providing escort duty for convoys crossing a very dangerous Atlantic Ocean. He left as a boy and returned very much a man. Just prior to enlisting he met Isobel Elrick, a beautiful girl from the West End. She was the love of his life from the moment he saw her. They married in 1945 and enjoyed 66 years of love and life together raising their boys in their Elmwood home. Following the war Mel worked briefly for Hudson's Bay and then found his true calling in the petroleum industry first as a serviceman with North Star Oil and subsequently his own business Beaver Pump Service. If you bought gas for your car at a North Star or Shell Oil station in Manitoba in the 1950s through 1980s it was through pumps and tanks that Mel had installed. Mel's mechanical abilities were astounding - he was the go-to-guy in the neighbourhood when someone needed something built or repaired and his small garage held as much stock as Home Depot. Mel was an avid and competitive bowler for over 40 years and represented the province at several international tournaments. He also greatly enjoyed golfing especially with King Fenske, whom he regarded as his third son. Mel's greatest passion in life though was his family. Dad, Grampa and Great-Grampa never missed a school concert, graduation or sporting event if one of his family members was involved and Uncle Mel's Christmas fudge was the stuff of legend. Mel retired at age 62 and enjoyed a busy 25 years with lots of travel to Hawaii, California, Barbados and numerous other destinations. Mel was the last of the McDonald boys' being predeceased by brothers Albert, Ray, and Arnold. He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife Isobel, sons Ken (Patty), Bob (Alice), grandchildren Cathleen (Tony), Shannon (Darren), Dereck, Jamie, Cody and Kelsey, great-grandchildren Brendan, Reid, Shane and Tanner; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Doreen and Frank Scherer and sister-in-law Alma. The family would like to extend sincere thanks to Mel's long time doctor, Denis Caners and the staff on the third floor at Concordia Hospital who provided such compassionate care in his final days. A celebration of Mel's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on June 30 at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. May the road rise up to meet you May the wind be always at your back May the sun shine warm upon your face The rains fall soft upon your fields And until we meet again May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 25, 2011