We mourn the loss and honour the life of our dad, father-in-law, grandpa, papa, great-grandpa, and friend. Despite losing two wives and a daughter to cancer, he himself cheated death many times. He had the courage to live a full life even when it was difficult and was no different in death. Determined to live independently at home, he cherished the support of family, friends, and the generosity of veteran affairs.
His life began in Owen Sound, Ontario, as the last of three children. Those early years were hard due to the Great Depression, and as a child, he peddled vegetables from his family's garden and ice-fished with his father (Robert Henry Hunter) to provide food. His mother (Mary Florinda Hunter nee Kelly) would read tea leaves at the ladies' socials, and he remembered fondly the finger sandwiches and wafers that she brought home as pay. Mel always enjoyed the long walk to his grandparents for Sunday dinners, and along the way, his mother would collect snippets of plants (especially geraniums) to cultivate in their own garden. Mel was 17 when his father died of cancer on Christmas Eve, an event which changed his life dramatically.
Mel was a talented baseball player, pitching for teams in Owen Sound and Langley, and even taking part in professional spring training in San Francisco. He began his adult life by joining the army and was posted to Chilliwack, B.C., where he met his first wife, Jean Beverly Campbell. Together, they had four children: Judith, Jerome, Barbara, and Beverly. Melville became sick with tuberculosis while working on the Vedder Canal and was hospitalized for three years. He received a medical discharge and transferred to civil service, where he worked as a Civil Engineer.
Mel retired with a 20-year pension and moved his family to Victoria in 1967. He worked in Victoria for private engineering firms and took up photography as a hobby, an endeavour which eventually led to a side job as a talented photographer with a passion for weddings. One photograph, “Pillars” (the inner structure of Broadmead reservoir), was honoured in Time Magazine. In 1981, Mel's wife, Jean, died of cancer.
You could find Mel volunteering for the Oak Bay Kiwanis Club at Willows Beach. Beecher Bay was a favourite place of his, where he caught many coho with friends and family in his little fishing boat 'The Gambler II'. He was renowned for his hosting skills, particularly his annual Christmas Tree Decorating Party. Mel was very proud of his family and could be spotted at a dance recital, school play, beside an equestrian ring, ice rink, and on the sidelines of many games, always cheering the loudest.
In the early 90's he found love again with Christine Oulton-Smith; in 1995, they married. Mel loved Christine's charisma and he enjoyed exploring the world with her. Unfortunately, she died in 2009, a year after his eldest daughter, Judith.
While working as a maintenance manager for the Oak Bay Kiwanis Pavilion, he listened intently to the residents talking about their heritage and developed a keen interest in his own. In retirement, he became fascinated with genealogy and looked forward to his Monday meetings with the friends he made through this interest. He was also attracted to the company of one particular lady through genealogy, Wanda Crawford, with whom he enjoyed travel, dinners, companionship and nightly phone calls; she remained a loyal and attentive companion until the end.
Mel died as he lived: strong, in control, and in his home surrounded by the one thing that he cared for most--his family. He died knowing what he had done for others would live on in our hearts and our stories for eternity. He is survived by his son-in-law Brian (Janet) Aitken and children Jerome (Rhonda) Hunter, Barbara (Craig) Reid and Beverly (Gary) Tyson as well as his many grandchildren: Allyson (Michael) Lord, Jonathon (Debbie) Aitken, Marcia (Peter) Kent, Jordan (Devon) Reid, and Kelly, Asia, and Tia. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren Isla, Corbin, and Quentin; Eryn, Taylor, and Rilynn; Ryder and Hunter; and Millie and Crosby. Mel is predeceased by Jean Beverly Hunter (Campbell), Judith Caryl Hunter (Aitken) and Christine Hunter (Oulton-Smith).
A tea will be held on May 13th, 2023, from 1-4, please feel free to come and share your stories with us at 4120 Longview Drive Victoria, B.C
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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