MELVYN ROBERT CHRISTIAN

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

MELVYN ROBERT CHRISTIAN

Peacefully on October 14, 2020, Melvyn Robert Christian, at the age of 82, passed away at Red River Place, in Selkirk, MB.
Melvyn was born March 12, 1938, in Rocanville, SK, to Mary Amy Trudgeon (Christian) and Robert Ivan Christian. He attended school in Edwin, MB, Ruby School, and Kenville, MB. Melvyn was 16 when he moved to Winnipeg, MB, to get his Journeyman in Woodworking.
In August, 1959, Melvyn married Lilian Mary (Hay) Christian, (1959 to 1985). From Winnipeg Melvyn went to work for the Department of Transportation in Ottawa, ON. During this time he obtained his Aircraft Mechanic Engineering licence with M1 and M2 qualifications. While in Ottawa their son Bruce and their daughter Susan were born. In spring of 1965 they moved to Swan Valley, MB where their son Mark was born. In December, 1973, Melvyn and his family moved to Gimli, MB. There he worked for Saunders Aircraft. In December, 1975, Melvyn and his family moved to Winnipeg, MB. There he worked for Pace and Perimeter Aviation. Then he purchased Kehler Skis, an aircraft ski manufacturing business. Initially Melvyn engineered and developed the aircraft skis at St. Andrews Airport, then Stonewall, MB, and finally in Woodlands, MB. His manufactured skis were purchased by aircraft businesses in Canada, the United States, and around the world.
In 1996 Melvyn was a candidate for the National Party of Canada for the Portage - Interlake riding. Melvyn was married to Dorothy Phyllis Adams (2003 to 2007). In 2005 Melvyn was instrumental in getting the Oak Park Estates built in Woodlands.
Melvyn was an aircraft pilot, an avid reader, and enjoyed canoeing, photography, ballroom and square dancing. He cherished hearing about and spending time with his family.
Melvyn was predeceased by grandson Benjamin Christian; parents, Robert and Mary Christian; brother Herb, nephew Lionel White, and brother-in-law Daniel Filipowich.
Melvyn is survived by his three children, Bruce, Susan/Suraya (Peter), and Mark. His seven grandchildren, Steven (Jamie), Daniel (Nicole), Leanna (Russell), and Cassandra; Grant, Jasmin; Liam. 11 great-grandchildren, Amy Lynn, Mila, Caleb, Peter, Lillianna, Katherine, and Phoebe; Levi, Hannah, Henry, and Sophia. Melvyn's siblings, Linda (Peter) White, Elizabeth Filipowich and Gord Christian; his many cousins, nieces, nephews and great-nieces, and great-nephews.
Due to the Covid-19 virus there will be no funeral service.
Our family would like to thank all the staff for their care of Melvyn during his four years at Red River Place.

You can shed tears that he is gone,
or you can smile because he has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray
that he'll come back,
or you can open your eyes and
see all he's left.
Your heart can be empty because
you can't see him,
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow
and live yesterday,
or you can be happy for tomorrow
because of yesterday.
You can remember him only that he is gone,
or you can cherish his memory
and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn your back.
Or you can do what he'd want:
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

Family and friends may sign a Book of
Condolence at www.glenedenmemorial.ca

Glen Eden Funeral Home
204-338-7111

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 24, 2020