Melvin Armstrong passed away at Rainy River LTC on March 10, 2021 with family at bedside. Dad was born January 3, 1925 in Shenston Township to James and Margaret Armstrong.
Dad was predeceased by all of his siblings: Leo, Eddie (Kathleen), Marguerite Penney (George), Terry (Eileen), Joe (Adeline), Bob (Adele), Sadie Ross (Albert), Bernie Dauphinais (Bill), Rita Miller (Ken), Sylvester, Vera, Bessie Lauzon (Charlie) and two infant brothers. Dad was also predeceased by grandson Robin Armstrong and wife Jeannine; and by great-grandson Dominic Crane.
Dad married Annie Bolen on November 15, 1949, recently celebrating 71 years of marriage.
Dad is survived by wife, Annie, and seven children: Laurie (Anne Marie), Denise Johnson (Ian), Janet, Sandy Nielson (Bruce), Mark (Kelly), Paul (Karen), and Craig. He is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Survived by two sisters-in-law, Shirley Armstrong and Valerie Bolen.
Dad worked at various jobs during his lifetime including farming, bush worker, truck driver, janitor, miner, road super, snow plowing, weigh scaler for DHO, for Mando and was in the Army briefly.
He liked to fix things, did woodworking, liked to read and keep up on the news. He was a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Blue Jays and liked to watch their games. He lived in the Stratton area his whole life aside from a brief stint in Atikokan and the last three years in LTC in Rainy River.
Dad was a member of the Knights of Columbus for many years, originally a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Stratton and then long- time member of Our Lady of the Way Catholic Church in Pinewood, Ont.
Dad was secretary-treasurer for the Separate School in Stratton many years ago and was instrumental in getting the school built and keeping it running in the early years.
A funeral mass will take place on Tuesday March 16, 2021 at 11 a.m. at the Our Lady of The Way Catholic Church, Pinewood. COVID premise restrictions for attendance to be followed.
Interment will tale place in Stratton Cemetery in the spring.
If desired memorial donations may be made in Melvin’s memory to the Rainy River Health Centre Long Term Care or to the Our Lady of the Way Catholic Church by cheque, c/o Northridge Funeral Home, Box 89, Emo, ON P0W 1E0.
