It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mel peacefully at the Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, Ontario at the age of ninety-one years. Mel was born in Regina, Saskatchewan. As a young man, he served in the military during World War II as an infantry officer. After the war, he was a Queen’s University graduate and a teacher in Ontario. He taught in Toronto before advancing through several administrative positions, retiring as the Assistant Director of the North York Board of Education in the late 1980s. After retirement, Mel was a “snowbird,” splitting his time between his home in Ahmic Harbour, Ontario and his house in Green Valley, Arizona. In his last year, Mel lived at the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre in Toronto. Mel is particularly remembered for his great love of fishing, especially at his Magnetawan Little Island Lake cabin in Ontario and for his stories. He lived a full and long life and will be missed by his family and many friends. He was, he said, “A son, brother, soldier, educator, husband, father, uncle, and friend, privileged to have been given a long life and an opportunity to share it with the lovely children, young people, and men and women of the world.” He was the son of the late John "Jack" Prideaux and Amy (Davie) Prideaux, of Regina Saskatchewan, husband of the late Frances (Fran) (Clarke) Prideaux, father of John and Jane Prideaux (Yuri), brother of the late Kathleen (Prideaux) Forbes (the late Bill), uncle to John (Sharon), Ronald (Mary), Janet, David (Susan), and Jennifer (Christopher), great-uncle to Gillian, Patrick, the late Laura, and Marcus. He was a friend, teacher, and mentor to many other people in his life.

Family and friends would like to thank the staff of the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre, K-wing for Mel’s excellent care over the last year. Mel did not want a funeral. Private cremation and scattering of ashes will take place at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto. Online condolences can be made on the Mount Pleasant Cemetery memorial page at www.etouch.ca.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Queen's University Faculty of Education. You can make your gift online at www.givetoqueens.ca/education or, by cheque payable to Queen's University and kindly direct your contributions to “The Teaching Excellence Fund” in memory of John Melville Prideaux in the memo field of the cheque. Please mail to: Commemorative Giving, Office of Advancement, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6.

Friends, family, and staff are invited to a drop-in gathering in celebration of Mel’s life that will take place on April 29, 2018 at Sunnybrook Veterans Centre, K Wing, Annex (Room KCG – 08), 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm.