MELVILLE GEORGE WADDELL

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MELVILLE GEORGE WADDELL Peacefully, following a long and healthy life, Mel Waddell passed away on December 21, 2012 at the age of 97 years at Victoria General Hospital in Winnipeg. Mel is survived by his children: Pat (Dave) Peacock, Winnipeg, grandchildren Patrick Peacock (Cara Brown), Lindsay (Katrina) Peacock, and Maria (Dave) Souque, all of Winnipeg; Michael (Ainsley) Peacock, Calgary, AB and Anna Peacock, Canmore, AB; and great-grandchildren Josh, Kai, Noah, Tripp, Ben, Payton and Olivia; Betty (Dick) Van Middlesworth, Winnipeg, grandchildren Kari Van Middlesworth (Steve Brucker), Fredericton, NB, and Laurie Van Middlesworth, Winnipeg); Laurie (Larry) Schultz, grandchild Laura Schultz, Unionville, ON; and Ross Waddell, Vancouver, BC. Mel was predeceased by his wife, Martha (Marty) Waddell in 1997 and his brother Arthur Waddell of Calgary. Born on February 12, 1915 in Virden, Mel spent his childhood in Western Manitoba. He earned King's Scout honours while living in Souris and as a young man, worked in a drug store in Dauphin. He then apprenticed in Brandon where he met his future wife, Marty Montgomery. In 1943, Mel graduated with a B.Sc. in Pharmacy from the University of Manitoba. He was President/Senior Stick for his class and was to develop deep and lasting friendships with his fellow pharmacists. Later in 1943, Mel joined the Royal Canadian Army and in the same year, he and Marty were married. He served overseas and was commissioned as First Lieutenant in the Medical Corps. Following the war, he worked as a pharmacist in Winnipeg. He joined the pharmaceutical manufacturer, E.R. Squibb and Sons Ltd., in 1950 as a Western Canada representative and travelled extensively for a living. Mel was a top representative for the company, repeatedly receiving its Go-Getter award. Mel was recognized as a 50 year member of the Manitoba Pharmaceutical Association and was a President and Life Member of the Red River Drug Rangers, an organization for pharmaceutical company representatives in Manitoba. He served as a Chairman of Continuing Education for the Association and received its 1980 Centennial Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Pharmacy for his dedication and leadership in continuing pharmacy education . Recognizing the importance of education, Mel was a special lecturer for 12 years to students in the Radiology Technician course at Red River Community College. Later in his career, he became a member of the Technologist Section of The Society of Nuclear Medicine. He supported post-secondary education for each of his children and was proud of their successes. Mel was involved in community service throughout his life, primarily through Riverview United Church (Churchill Park United Church), Churchill High School and as a President and member for over 65 years of the Kiwanis Club of South Winnipeg. He was a strong supporter of the St. Boniface Hospital Medical Research Foundation and the Riverview Health Centre. Mel enjoyed chatting over the fence with his neighbours while tending his flower garden on Montgomery Avenue. Self-described as a sports nut , Mel was a 50 year plus subscriber of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and an avid NHL fan. He was one of the oldest members of Fort Rouge Curling Club and was curling and golfing well into his 90s. He was a smooth dancer and skater and impressed the grandchildren with his moves on the dance floor and on the ice. He shared his love of music and sports with his children and grandchildren and enjoyed taking them to the symphony and to football games. Mel spent many summers with Marty and their children at the beach or travelling to visit friends and relatives from Winnipeg to the West Coast. Mel and Marty also enjoyed vacations in the tropics and Europe in their retirement. In his later years, Mel continued his annual visits to the West Coast and also took trips to see Canada's North including Lake Isabel beside Hudson Bay which had been named for his mother. Mel lived a good, long life, had wonderful friends of all ages, and helped many people. Thank you to all who were his friends and to the staff of The Waverley and Rosewood and Victoria General Hospital, 5 North who cared for Mel as he passed into his eternal life. The family will be holding a private memorial in honour of Mel at a later date. Donations in Mel's memory can be made to the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation, Room C 1026 - 409 Tache Ave., Winnipeg MB R2H 2A6, or a charity of one's choice.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 03, 2013