Emo mourns longtime pharmacist

A memorial service for longtime local druggist Mel Asplund was held last Wednesday (Nov. 26) at the Emo Legion, with Rev. Eileen Bragg officiating.
Interment took place in Riverview Cemetery in Fort Frances.
After pharmacist Lawrence Elliott happily retired from Emo Drug Store, Mel showed up on the horizon soon afterwards, which helped maintain the service to our community.
Mel was a true gentleman, trustworthy to his customers, which we could say he inherited from Elliott as both had the same characteristics.
Then to make the union stronger, along came Mel’s son, Greg, who assisted his father capably over the years. They knew their customers and also communicated with doctors to make sure all was well.
This past year was a rough one for Mel. IIlness set in on all fronts and you could tell something was very wrong. Excited by retirement, he was hospitalized at the Emo Health Centre in hopes of eventually being admitted to Rainycrest in Fort Frances.
Being hospitalized here at Emo, he still was able to walk around and most of the time you would find him sitting under a tree on the front lawn talking to a friend.
Coffee break at the Emo Inn with Mel, Greg, and Gordon Meyers was most appreciated. Sometimes they would be joined by either Joe Tibold or Ted Corrigan.
The turnout for his funeral last Wednesday showed the high esteem people had for Mel. Rev. Bragg, in her homily, spoke of his kindness towards others, which never faltered.
Mel always was one to give back to the community.