Passed away peacefully, at North York General Hospital on July 3, 2024, following a sudden and unexpected health crisis.

Beloved husband of May for 61 years who predeceased Mel nine months earlier. Adored by son Craig (Bruce) and daughter Andrea (Amrit). Loving Papa to Cole, David, and Mila (Frankie) and Arlo.

Predeceased by Mother, Lillian Dale, and brothers Dennis and Terry.

Born in Brampton, Ontario on March 1, 1933, Mel was a life-long Torontonian. Mel spoke openly about growing up poor. Mel worked part-time jobs through high school to contribute financially to his family. Following completion of high school Mel found work as a commercial insurance underwriter at Phoenix of London. That led to applying for a position at an insurance brokerage located across the street. The die was cast and Mel through tremendous dedication and energy built a successful career that included brokerage ownership that established the foundation for supporting his young family.

Mel and May met at a political event and courting quickly led to marriage in 1962. Both Mel and May shared similar early life experiences, growing up in a father-less home with little financial security and hard-working mothers caring for their children. Together, Mel and May set off to build a life that provided stability, certainty, and promise. They built their family quickly. Andrea was born in 1963 and Craig in 1965.

Together, Mel and May established an expansive network of friends enriched through those they met at the Donalda Club in Toronto and the Wyndemere Club in Naples, Florida. Their pursuits spanned sports, such as tennis and golf, worldwide travel, hosting parties, and limitless support of their children and their respective goals.

Mel was energetic and industrious. He was an exerciser decades before it became fashionable. He was always working on home improvement projects and was happy to continue to climb ladders well into his 80s, despite the protests from family. His love for oaky chardonnay was legendary as was his appreciation for nature, wildlife, water, shelling, fly fishing, golf, humour and his steady and constant support of his children through both good and bad times.

Mel was clever and funny. He was sociable, loving to meet and joke with people. Even in his final days in hospital, Mel joked with nurses and doctors until he was no longer able to speak. Even then, he would use hand movements to communicate connection and appreciation to the healthcare professionals who so ably and caringly attended to his needs over the final two weeks of his life. Wholehearted thanks and appreciation are extended to the entire health care team at 3 West, Oncology and Palliative Care at the North York General Hospital. Further, our gratitude to the kind and skilled staff of Integracare who provided critical support to Mel in his final weeks of life.

Special appreciation is extended to Amelia (Maria), a longstanding provider of support and companionship to our family for 47 years.

Cremation has taken place. A private, family celebration of life will take place at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, we ask you consider a donation to the Freeman Centre for the Advancement of Palliative Care at North York General Hospital.