Melvin "Mel" Beaton

It is with immense heartbreak that we announce the passing of Mel Beaton, following a battle with cancer. Mel was a husband, father, brother, son, and a friend to many and will be missed by all that knew him. He is survived by his wife Anna, son Jared, daughter Kiana (Rob), parents Jim and Wanda, brothers Tim (Cori) and Rick, and nephews Shane, Paul, Malcolm, and Duncan.

Born in New Westminster, British Columbia, Melvin Walter Beaton, known to us as Mel, was the second of three children to Jim and Wanda Beaton. Mel and his brothers spent their early years on Panorama Ridge in Surrey, British Columbia. Mel often told stories of his upbringing, including some of the shenanigans he got up to with his two brothers and his lifelong friend Grant Hill. Mel attended Princess Margaret Secondary until he graduated in 1979 and set off to Vancouver to study at UBC. Mel completed his Bachelor of Commerce in 1985 and obtained his Bachelor of Law in 1986. While attending UBC, Mel made many lifelong friends and met Anna in 1982, whom he would later go on to marry in 1988.

Mel took great pride in funding his own schooling through working various entrepreneurial jobs. In 1981 Mel and his UBC buddy Greg Kovacs started Shaughnessy Computer Systems, a company that developed electronic circuits. They had big name clients such as IBM, Bell and Howell, the Government of Canada, all while they were still in university. They helped the US-mega company TRW with making electronic chips in Redondo Beach, which (as Northrup Grumman) now supplies chips to most cell-phone makers - there is a hint of Mel in your iPhone! Their venture then became part of Data Key, Limited, a mainframe computer services company. From there, they helped found Squirrel Systems, a company making first-networked point-of-sale systems for fine dining. The company grew and they quickly found themselves installing systems in places like the "Windows On the World" restaurant on top of New York's now-gone World Trade Center.

Upon graduation from law school, Mel went on to article in Prince George in 1986 for Heather and Co while living with his Aunt Sharon and Uncle Wilf and their children Randi and Colin. After a short stint in Prince George, he returned to Anna in Vancouver in 1987, when he was called to the bar. Mel began his career as a lawyer working at Varty and Co. until being hired by Altman Khan Zack in 1988 where he later became a partner before splitting off to form Hammerberg Altman Beaton & Maglio in 1999, which is now known as Hammerco. Lawyers LLP. His career in law spanned some 35 years and for more than 20 years he led the business law and real estate practice areas as a trusted expert in the field. Mel was a dedicated mentor and was deeply enthusiastic about sharing knowledge and providing guidance and advice to young lawyers. Mel was always willing to dedicate his time to help out a friend and was the "token lawyer friend" to many. Mel had an incredibly vibrant and giving spirit. Mel served on the Advisory board for Transoft, one of his long-term clients for more than 15 years. He was passionate about community service and gave much of his time and energy to Education without Borders, a charity that provides educational support and programs for underprivileged individuals.

Mel and Anna married in 1988 and Mel became a father on Father's Day 1995 when he and Anna welcomed their daughter Kiana. Mel and Anna later moved to Ladner in 1997, and their son Jared was born in 1998. Mel took great pride in his children's athletic abilities and supported them in reaching their goals. Mel was deeply involved in his children's lives and took great interest in their activities. When Kiana joined the Ladner Stingrays Swim Club, Mel became a Summer Swimming Official, officiating locally and at Regional and Provincial meets. When Jared began playing football with the South Delta Rams, Mel became the game day announcer where he made up clever nicknames for each child on the team. Mel went on to become the President of the South Delta Rams from 2010 to 2012 and the commissioner of the Vancouver Mainland Football league from 2012 to 2015. He also provided legal services for and sponsored the Delta Islanders where Jared played lacrosse for many years.

Mel had a vibrant spirit; He was a wonderful and much-loved colleague, friend, brother, husband, and father. He loved his family, and he loved his work. He had an energetic and adventurous spirit and was always thinking of his next great 'dad joke'.

Mel made the world a better place and will leave a hole in our family and our community. Gone too soon, but he will forever remain in our memories and our hearts. Rest easy, Mel.

Per Mel's wishes, donations can be made to the BC Cancer Agency.

A celebration of life will be held at Tsawwassen Springs on Saturday, March 12th at 2:00 PM. Proof of vaccination is required by the venue.

If you wish to share memories or photos of Mel please email them to [email protected]