The big poker table in the sky now has a new player.
Mel passed away peacefully on June 12, 2021 with family by his side. While we are going to miss him dearly, our memories about him will forever be in our hearts and in our minds.
Mel was raised on the family homestead in Emo, and this is where he developed a strong work ethic and became a hard worker. During his youth, Mel tried his hand at a couple different jobs, farming, sawmill, mining, and then he found his passion of drilling. Once this was discovered he started his own business in 1969, Mel’s Well Drilling. Over the next 44 years of his career, he drilled countless wells across the province and became well-known as Mel’s Wells. When retirement knocked on the door, he sold the business and moved on to the next chapter of his life. With his schedule cleared, Mel started exploring the country from southern Ontario to western Canada and into southwestern U.S.A. He was always stopping along the way to visit family, friends, and any driller he would see.
Mel was born in March 1945 to Elder and Jean Jack; he was a younger brother to Larry and an older brother to Marilynn. The family loved their time on the farm south of Emo, and that passion for the country stayed in Mel his entire life. Mel was married in 1970 to his love, Susan Lee, and they had three children – Chad, Clint, and Cara. Mel and Susan enjoyed life and were extremely proud of their children. Before Susan passed away in 2005, they could be found at the racetrack, with their draft horses or at the camper on Caliper Lake.
To his family and friends, Mel was known as a generous person who smiled easily and enjoyed good company. He was an extraordinary woodworker who frequently gifted his work to individuals, families, and charitable organizations. He was a proud supporter of Emo Speedway and a popular face at the poker table and was never known to pass up any card game.
Mel leaves behind his children Chad (Stacey), Clint, and Cara (Garrett Taschuk); grandchildren Andrew, Cooper, Cayden, Carsyn, Danny and Roger; as well as his dear friend Karen Olson. He also leaves behind his sister Marilynn McDonald (Gerry Desserre); brother Larry (Maureen); brother-in-law Terry Lee (Jan); numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
No service is planned at this time, but the family looks forward to having a celebration at a later date. Donations to the Emo Hospital Auxiliary c/o Northridge Funeral Home, Box 89, Emo, Ont. P0W 1E0, would be greatly appreciated.
Arrangements in care of Northridge Funeral Home, Emo, Ont.
