Melvin "Mel" Franklin Harris

A beloved husband to Carolyn for over 63 years; a kind and good father to Corinne (Kurt Gehmlich), Darren & Leanne (deceased); a fun and friendly grandfather to Kyle & Cooper (Corinne), Jeremy & Rachel (Darren), and Miranda & Carson (Leanne). A sweet great- grandfather to Jack (Kyle & Anaïs), and Thammo (Cooper & Éra).

Mel was born in Penticton, lived his youth in Burnaby, then Vancouver & Surrey after his marriage.

He started his career at Woodward’s in Vancouver and remained with them until 1976 when the family moved to Vernon. Calgary was next in 1985, Victoria in 1989, and finally Chilliwack in 2001.

With his ready smile, willingness to lend a hand, creative woodworking skills, and love of vegetable gardening, he will be fondly remembered. Many people over the years have received a pair of his handmade toast tongs, a wooden trivet, a nativity puzzle, and many other handmade wooden crafts.

His love of the outdoors was manifested with camping, hiking, travel and fishing. When the kids were young, we camped all across Canada and parts of the US. Multiple trips to Disneyland were always a hit! As empty-nesters, Mel and Carolyn would pack up the 1979 VW camper van and head out on adventures around the continent. Mel at the wheel, Carolyn navigating, long before satellites guided us: always ready and willing to see what lay around the bend. What a good and long life he enjoyed.

To know Mel was to love him.