Three years have passed since you left to join Our Heavenly Father. I know Melanie & Jeremy have missed you so much as many others. Your quick smile, the sparkle in your blue eyes & your joy of Life.
I have missed all of that also. remembering the 1st time we met at a Evergreen Hall in Langley. There was a dance & lunch with different entertainers. You walked past the stage & asked by moving your fingers  could you come up & play. I nodded & in a flash you appeared  guitar in hand & played  5 Foot 2 with the band,spoke to me & back to you trio.. You 3 sang I don't know what & had no idea who you were until about 2 years later.  I was playing at Bonsor & the guitar player was Ernie Straiton & his mom wasn't well, Gene Blouin had taken George Ladeau's place. I called Gene & he said I'll have a guitar player!! When I 
stepped on the stage you were putting your guitar on it's case ,tuned ready to go , you looked up & said I know & I did the same, new man on the job & that night a lasting friendship developed !!!
 We had 13 years of great music, met your family on Melanie's 40 birthday party. The house filled to overflowing with people from Australia ,  but your friends & family too many to count. All you told Melanie was I'm bringing my piano player. The new girl on the block !!! Thousands of memories , parties , & great music. we soon became a duo playing at afternoon care homes, then a trio, & dances with a 5 piece band.
I miss all those times & many times as I play my piano I think of you & wish you would were there beside to enjoy those days once again.
I will miss you always and love you still ... your Grace E Clay as you always said  when we met. 

Thinking of you, Melroy. Never forgotten.
Darrell De Silva

3 years gone today. 
Heavy are our hearts today, 
memory brings you back once more, 
to the time when you were with us, 
to the happy days of yore. 

Thanks for all the beautiful fab memories you left behind. We miss you and think of you everyday!

12 months gone-the loss "immense" today-as it was then.A heavy heart & eyes welled,we keep this good soul in ours.
What a handsome man he was,when he walked,he did so with purpose,his presence,not intimidating,but inviting,a lovely-inclusive & caring human being.
We are the better for having met him,love & miss him enormously,never to be forgotten.     

Melanie, Marissa, Jeremy,Carmen,  You are all in our thoughts.We pray that the memories will bring you Peace and Comfort. Please accept our sympathy.

Noel and Adeleine Kalicharan
42 second Ave, Gajadhar Lands,
Princes Town
Trinidad. WI.

PS.   Remembering the singing and the sound of the guitar playing upstairs (next door) at
2260 Trutch  Street.  (1975 - 1976)

































As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

 I'm so sorry to hear. I know he is in a better place with his Lord and Savior. Prayers for you and your family. I really enjoyed chatting with him last summer.

A Tribute written by old friend Desmond Kelly - Daily Mirror Feb 8, 2018:

" A Firefly Laid to Rest"

He led The Fireflies band in Ceylon from 1963, a personal friend of mine, Milroy de Silva has passed away in Vancouver, Canada, after a long illness, leaving family, friends and fans, deeply saddened by his death, at the age of 84. Milroy was indeed a superb guitarist, self-taught, as most of us were in the good old days.  

I remember the time when he lived down Davidson Road, Bambalapitiya, practically right behind our little tenement home in Lorensz Road, and this is where I first heard a special-style of acoustic guitar playing which left me spell-bound with the skill and expertise he displayed. A Latin-rhythm strum that was as individualistic as the man himself, to be quite honest about it, I have never seen a strum like it. In addition, Milroy was a superb lead-guitarist as well. At the time, during the early 50's, Arthur Guitar-Bogey Smith played Guitar-Bogey just as well as Milroy de Silva. Note for note/chord for chord, there was no difference whatsoever. I would go to Milroy's , sit there with him, watching those hands, playing his music, in absolute fascination. It was all acoustic stuff then. Electric guitars would be imported by Harmonics and Papa Menezes later, but Milroy and yours truly decided to manufacture our own amplifier in order to increase the sound of his acoustic.   

We managed to find a couple of old pakis-petti [wooden boxes], Milroy used his electronic ability, he had two old speakers from an ancient radio-gram and together, we produced the very first, not-too-handsome-looking amplifier that Lorensz Road had seen. Milroy then took his acoustic guitar to Papa Menezes and Papa, always wanting to help people, put in the finishing touch to Milroy's old acoustic, turning it into what was possibly the first electric/acoustic in Bambalapitiya. Milroy loved that guitar and not too much later his number one fan was going to use this same treasured instrument, to join a Circus Group that would be touring the Country for Donavan Andree. There used to be a famous girls' school named after some bloke by the exalted name of Lindsay. This was a Christian School where the Head-Mistress suddenly decided to run a Thursday afternoon special programme called the Band of Hope which would consist of around two hours of Religious-Teachings to the girl-students, some of whom had no hope at all, but were welcome there anyway. After the Band of Hope, the girls would be permitted to encourage any talented entertainers they knew to entertain them with music before they left for the evening to go home. 

There were several pianists, piano accordion, and even a mouth-organist or two, known to various lasses at this School, to provide the said entertainment. Now and then, there would be a vacant Thursday afternoon, but Milroy de Silva and Desmond Kelly needed no encouragement to fill the vacancy. Milroy, with his guitar and Desmond with his Ukulele would happily go down there, sing to, and entertain the girls, who, like any normal females of the time enjoyed being entertained. We had nearly all of the Lindsay Girls' School lasses around us for the afternoon requesting their favourite songs and Milroy and Desmond enjoyed the attention they were getting, but had to sneak out, over the rear wall of the School, guitar, uke, and all to escape some of the boy-friends of some girls, waiting impatiently outside the front gate, to give these two imposters an unmerciful thrashing for taking up their girls' time.   

Milroy de Silva and Desmond Kelly were always very good friends. Then in 1952, Desmond Kelly was afforded the chance of joining this English Circus group to tour Ceylon with them. He had to audition for them before he got the job. However, the Circus Owner needed a guitar-playing singer on-stage, so what to do, men?, Desmond Kelly then borrowed that same old guitar from Melroy, for the weekend, taught himself to play the two extra strings involved, passed the audition and got the job. Milroy carried on in Colombo. He was already a very popular entertainer and found himself working, in the showbiz- industry regularly. There was hardly a large hotel or nightclub in Ceylon at the time, that we didn't work for.  
Unfortunately, I lost touch with him after our Circus show named The Continental Non-stop Revue ended, I joined the Royal Ceylon Navy, getting out in 1962 to migrate to Melbourne.  

In the meantime, Milroy, still doing what he loved, formed his own band and called them his Fire-flies. He was indeed a superb musician, still, someone to whom many upcoming musicians went to, for advice, freely given. He was also an ardent fan of the old Country & Western icon Montana Slim, singing and playing in the old style to the delight of hundreds of fans, wherever he performed.   

He eventually left Our Lovely Island Home, like so many of us, to settle in Vancouver Canada. Here he was affectionately known as Guitar John, entertained, as we music-lovers do, until it becomes physically impossible to do so, and has finally passed on to continue singing and playing his guitar for the angels in heaven. A personal apology from me to you, Milroy, is that, although I did my very best to keep in touch with you, latterly, it became impossible to telephone you because you were frequently unavailable, in hospital, or just not home. No excuses on my part, but after coming to Australia, trying to do two and even three jobs at a time, working shifts, 24/7, although I would have loved to have come to Canada, just to join your band and play the music we both loved, it was only wishful thinking on my part. Rest easy now, my friend. We had some great times together but now let me ask God to bless you and keep you, my sincere condolences to your entire family and this, my dedication to you, Milroy de Silva will show you that Music and Memories always go hand in hand.  

Your pal, always, Desmond Kelly

Looking back, we think about the good old days.  Time flies and the world changes but the memories of our friendship will always stay.

We love you, and you will forever be in our hearts.

May your soul rest in eternal peace.

Amal & Radha Sylva

Rest in Peace Uncle Roy Will always be in our hearts
Hans Reneira, Nadine and Warren Henricus

I only met Melroy once that I recall, and I don't remember any words having been exchanged between us, but he made a definite impression on my consciousness nonetheless when he extended me his hand for a jive at one of Melanie's famous Hallowe'en parties in honour of Jeremy's birthday. Suddenly I remembered having been told that Melroy was not well, and I was feeling very guilty for having enjoyed that dance so much. It was only recently that I learned from Carmen that they had been champion dancers in Sri Lanka. I might have known! I am happy to know that he went on for many more years after that dance to show me that one can still enjoy life despite setbacks in health.

I know for a fact that Melroy and I are kindred spirits because we both have gravitated to music to help us to translate the deep emotions we feel for life. I see that he had a "significant other" in his life who is substantially grieving his loss at this time, and there seems only one song that fits to express that. It's the title of the song rather than its lyrics that fits this occasion: George Harrison's classic, "While My Guitar Gently Weeps".

May you rest forever in God's loving care, Melroy, and thank you for substantially enriching all our lives with your "joie de vivre"!

During your journey on your final flight Home
White Wings will carry you and you will be flown
To the pearly gates of Heaven, where they will usher you in
To the feet of your Lord, your Saviour and your friend
He will hold you in His arms and the Angels will sing
As another one of His children is delivered by white wings.

No more suffering, no more pain
Rest in Peace dear Melroy

Carmen

NEVER FORGOTTEN

You'll never be forgotten
That simply cannot be
As long as we are living
With us you'll ever be
Safely tucked within our hearts
Your light will always shine
A glowing ember never stilled
Throughout the end of time.

No matter what the future brings
Or what may lie ahead
We know that you will walk with us
Along the path we tread.
So rest dear Dad, be at peace
And let your soul fly free
One day we'll join your glorious flight
For all Eternity.

Your ever  loving children
Melanie and Jeremy



TO MY DARLING GRANDPA MELROY
For His Journey's Just Begun
Don't think of him as gone away--
His journey's just begun
Life holds so many facets
This earth is only one.
Just think of him as resting
From the sorrows and the tears
In a place of warmth and comfort
Where there are no days and years.
Think how he must be wishing 
That we could know today
How nothing but our sadness
Can really pass away.
And think of him as living
In the hearts of those he touched...
For nothing loved is ever lost--
And he was loved so much

I love you Grandpa and will miss you dearly. We will meet on that beautiful shore.


Such sad news was terrible and unbelievable.  I cannot imagine you left us so suddenly.  Right now, words are hard to express as my feelings run through my whole being in profound sadness. When I visited beautiful Vancouver in 1994 and spent some time with you we shared many nostalgic memories of long ago, and had a jolly good time jamming, singing and strumming our guitars. I called you Guitar Boogie man.  Your life was a blessing,your memory a treasure.  I will miss you dearly Melroy.  Until we meet again - Farewell my beloved friend.  
Elmo
Sri Lanka

We were fortunate to have Melroy in our lives for several years.  His loss has deeply saddened us all. Our memories of his admirable talents, his integrity and caring manner will always be remembered.  He will be sorely missed.

TO MY DARLING GRANDPA MELROY
FOR HIS JOURNEY'S JUST BEGUN
Don't think of him as gone away--
His journey's just begun
Life holds so many facets
This earth is only one.
Just think of him as resting
From the sorrows and the tears
In a place of warmth and comfort
Where there are no days and years.
Think how he must be wishing 
That we could know today
How nothing but our sadness
Can really pass away.
And think of him as living
In the hearts of those he touched...
For nothing loved is ever lost--
And he was loved so much

I love you Grandpa and will miss you dearly. We will meet on that beautiful shore.

Darlings Carmen, Melanie and Jeremy - My deepest sympathies on the passing away of our precious Melroy.  He was a very dear cousin to me.  I will miss talking to him on the phone as we often did and catching up with him when I visited Vancouver.  He is now treading the portals of glory with Jesus and his family who have afore.  Love.
Jeune and family
Melbourne, Australia

Dearest Melroy, 
Our families (Blakes and de Silvas) met when I was about 14 years old when we lived next to each other at the Thimbirigasaya Flats. Many an evening was spent listening to you playing your guitar and singing Country and Western music outside your flat (C18). These were your relaxing moments and our joy and pleasure listening to you from our balcony. Years later your family moved to Vancouver, B.C. Canada where we lived as neighbours in a duplex at 2260 Trutch St.  Those old days were wonderful and laden with memories. Strangely enough, when we moved to Burnaby, you moved to Burnaby too. 
Melroy, I am so very glad God guided Dylan and me to visit you and keep vigil with Melanie in the last 12 minutes of your life. We will always cherish those moments. Till we meet again enjoy playing for the heavenly choir.
Happy Trails
Dylan and Christine

Sherwin always spoke of the great fun you guys had singing and playing the guitar back in the good old days in Ceylon.
He had a lot of respect for you Melroy, as a brother in law and a dear friend.
Hope you guys are behaving yourselves in Heaven.
Rest In Peace Melroy.
Charmaine Misso and Family
Sydney Australia

You brought so much joy to so many people, including all of us at The Newton Music Makers.   "Happy Trails" and God bless to our Dear Friend John.

So sad to know that his guitar will be forever silent. I will be forever grateful to have spent 13 yrs with John. The dances we played at, Care Homes, Retirement Homes  & church functions. I will miss his quick smile, the sparkle in his blue eyes & the hours of music we shared. God gave him a special talent &  he shared it with many.  My sincere sympathy to all of his family. Rest in peace John, you hold a special place in my heart always. Grace Clay

My heartfelt sorrow at the loss of dear Melroy. He was always a good friend to all of our family and was present at all the major events with his amazing musical talent.
He will be remembered for his big smile and dancing the night away in his cowboy boots. He always enjoyed a good party. He will forever remain in our hearts and minds.
Love, Trisha and Terri (the Hiland Girls)

My dearest & wonderful papa,a man with morals & scrouples,2nd to none.Catching up with you in BC was certainly a highlight,coupled with keeping in touch via phone, till you left us.My Gerry took to you at 1st glance,priviledged people we are.Bless you friend.

I will never forget your kindness, caring and love you have shown me since I first met you in Ceylon; wonderful years of fun, singing and dancing.  You have been my stalwart through thick and thin.  Rest in peace my dear brother.

I will never forget your kindness, caring, and love you've shown me since I met you as a little girl in Ceylon.  Wonderful years of fun, singing and dancing.  You have been my stalwart through thick and thin.  I will miss you.  Rest in peace dear brother.     Rhoda

To our dearest Roy -  in loving Memory of a Life so Beautifully lived and a heart so deeply Loved.
We have such wonderful Memories of the times we spent at your home in Sri Lanka.  Some memories are unforgettable, remaining ever vivid and heartwarming.
With much love - Doris,Barry, Wendy, Craig and Mark.

Melroy, our life in Ceylon, was always sublime, but, a firefly's "light" must go-out, sometime.God bless you mate, till we meet again"  
Des.Kelly.

RIP my good friend.  Will miss you specially your smile.

So sorry to hear of John's passing.  It was a great pleasure and a privilege to play with John in the Bonsor Quartette in Burnaby for several years.

Worked with this great musician we called him Pappa Milroy sad to hear the news RIP pappa

I did not know Melroy personally but loved his work!! Used to sneak out of home to listen these guys (Fireflies)!! So sad to hear this loss!! I know Darrell you tried to organise a reunion which sadly didn't happen as far as I know! RIP Milroy congratulations on joining an illustrious band up above!!

A very talented humble man that had time for everyone. The talented and untalented ...God bless you Milroy and may you rest in Peace..

A gentleman to the end, I am sure, lived down Lorensz road Bambalapitiya, brother of Glen. Milroy loved country music, had his group in Canada, after 
his departure from SriLanka. RIP

Rest in peace my band leader of the fireflies, I learned so much from you.

Rip Uncle Milroy... have such wonderful memories of you. How you taught me to sing and play. What fun we had in our band and you taught us to be the best. RIP uncle. We know we will meet again. 
Big big hugs to you Mel and rest of family

Terrible news . I feel like I lost a part of myself . Milroy Darrel and myself were the foundation stones pf the great band THE FIREFLIES .. Feel so bad that I am so far away .Dearest Milroy you will always live on in the hearts of the many thousands of your fans and friends. We have lost one of the greatest guitarists Sri Lanka produced .Rest in peace dear Milroy .Deepest sympathies to little Melanie and family

 I'm shocked I know you said he was not well sometime back but to hear this sad news, I just can't believe it. He was a super guitarist and a wonderful band leader I remember the days at the Harbour Room - Taprobane. My very deepest sympathies to you and everyone else at home.

Our deepest sympathies A.Carmen, Melanie, and Jeremy and family thinking of you all and may his soul RIP.
Hans, Reneira Nadine and Warren.

Oh Melanie and Jeremy. Mum called me and told me the sad news. Lots of love to you all at this sad time. I remember well the guitar and sing a longs at the Trutch St house.

So sad Mel, when I  think of the nice days we had singing songs and doing band chunes at your home!! He always would call on me to start the band chune!! But like I said he now has Peace & Quiet and that is what he asked for last night & God gave it to him by taking him in his arms.

I'm so so sorry to hear this Melanie! I just saw the mssg.My deepest sympathies to Aunty, Jeremy and u.What a loss, Such a Gentleman and such a good guitarist.My prayers r with yr family and u

My deepest sympathies Melanie. Your Dad and you along with a others helped build the Saturday Evening Choir and made the Church popular. I will offer Holy Mass today for him. May God give him eternal rest. God bless you

May you rest in Peace Uncle Milroy, you will not be forgotten. Those childhood years when you brought music into my life are a cherished memory. You will be missed. God Rest your Soul

Trisha and I will always remember Melroy's wonderful poems for my 50th birthday party and our Mom's 80th b'day.  He so loved his music and singing. Melroy was a very kind and good living man.  God Bless Melroy
Terri and Trisha

 My dear John, I remember all the times we spent together. I enjoyed every single minute. I am especially happy that Melanie gave me the opportunity to meet you. I miss all the times we spent listening to all different genres of Music, especially the oldies. I loved all the stories you told me and when we hot into politics, this is how I will remember you. Rest in peace my friend for now, it is well with your soul. Much love. Ashley.

To my darling  Uncle Roy---thank you for the beautiful memories we made__your voice I hear so clearly. Thank you for teaching me those lovely old songs--Oh I still hear your voice singing them whilst strummi ng your guitar. Was mesmerized by your fancy rings and big belt buckle. You brought so much sunshine into my life when you were around--always thought you had such STYLE!!!! and great personality!!!! I will miss the long talks we had--Oh what a day it will be when we meet again---till then you are still alive in my heart. RIP my darling Uncle Roy.  Rosie (MD  USA)

We will always have fond memories of Melroy at Melanie's Halloween and Christmas parties in his red cowboy outfit and big infectious smile, his guitar playing and sing-alongs. He was a wonderful, kindhearted man and we will all miss him dearly.
Rest in Peace Melroy.
Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences to the whole family❤

We will always have fond memories of Melroy at Melanie's halloween and christmas parties in his red cowboy outfit and big infectious smile, his guitar playing and sing-alongs. He was a wonderful, kind hearted man and we will all miss him dearly.
Rest in Peace Melroy. 
Our hearrfelt condolences to the whole family ❤

Uncle Melroy - I have so many good memories of you imparting your musical brilliance and amazing knowledge.  You were an integral part of my childhood and I will always remember you with love. God rest your soul

We were music colleagues back in the 'Sixties but remained life-long friends. Rest in Peace my dear friend.

I was so sad to hear of John's passing. John was such a big part of the Jammers. He was always so kind to everyone.  May he Rest in Peace.
To all his family and friends you have my deepest sympathy.
Doris Carruthers Surrey,BC

I will miss the guitar talks that we had and playing and having beer at your apartment. R.I.P.

Very glad that we had a chance to meet and play music  especially the old Shadows tunes.
Rest in Peace my friend.

  
  I only knew John for a couple of years but thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent together playing music at the Newton Seniors Center. John, you and your talents will be missed. God will enjoy your music as much as we all did.

Rick Hammer

Rest in Peace my beloved friend; the joy you brought us all will be forever remembered, you brought out the best talents of so many. Always honoured to be your friend and "Pal". We'll meet again and it will indeed be Heaven.

John, you have touched so many people in your life with that great smile, calm earthiness and of course your wonderful guitar playing.
We will miss you....Karen

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

John Melroy De Silva

31 décembre 1932 – 28 janvier 2018

Ocean View Funeral Home & Burial Park

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