MELVIN (MEL) HUMPHREY

Melvin (Mel) Humphrey, 77, of 1008 First St. E., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances on Friday, Oct. 18, 2002 with his family by his side.
He was born July 9, 1925 in Kerrobert, Sask. to the late William (Bill) and Hilda Humphrey. Mel was raised near Kerrobert, and in his younger years worked in many places from Vancouver Island to Windsor, Ont.
In the 1950s, he settled in Atikokan, where he worked at Steep Rock Iron Mines for a number of years. While in Atikokan, he met Marion McKay and was united in marriage to her in Fort Frances on Oct. 12, 1957.
Sometime after their marriage, the family moved to Saskat-chewan, where they resided for five years. In 1967, they moved to Fort Frances, where Mel worked as grader operator for the Town of Fort Frances until his retirement.
Mel was a past member of the International Order of Oddfellows Cascade Lodge #351. He also loved spending time woodworking in his shop at home. In earlier years, he enjoyed camping with his family and dog, Max, and travelling extensively.
He was predeceased by one brother, George Humphrey; two sisters, Irene McDonald and Mar-garet Selby; and one brother-in-law, Cliff Selby.
Mel is survived by his wife, Marion Humphrey of Fort Frances, Ont.; two sons, Kirk Humphrey and wife, Donna, of Hinton, Alta., and Kim Humphrey of Fort Frances, Ont.; one daughter, Shari Humphrey of Fort Frances, Ont.; and three grandchildren, April Matheson of Fort Frances, Ont., and Dylan and Alex Humphrey of Hinton, Alta.
Also surviving are two brothers, Calvin Humphrey and wife, Jean, of Coleville, Sask., and Orval Humphrey and wife, Diane, of Logan Lake, B.C.; one sister, Betty and husband, Cyril Newman, of Winnipeg, Man.; one sister-in-law, Anne Humphrey of Atikokan, Ont.; and one brother-in-law, Fred McDonald of Saskatoon, Sask.
Numerous special nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services were held Tues-day, Oct. 22, 2002 at 2 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Fran-ces, with Rev. Marietta Marshall officiating.
Friends visited with family Mon-day, Oct. 21, 2002 from 7 until 9 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances.
Honourary pallbearers were Mel’s coffee buddies at the A&W, the Harbourage, and the Anniver-sary Group.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to either the Cana-dian Cancer Society, P.O. Box 444, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8 or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, 920 Frenette Ave., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3N4.