It is with broken hearts we announce the passing of our Dad, Wednesday August 3 in the CVICU at the QEII, Halifax. Da passed away peacefully to be with Mom who predeceased him, after a prayer from the Salvation Army and listening to The Men of the Deeps while his daughter held his hand. Mel was the eldest son and second oldest child of Roy Mugford and Audrey (Bond). He loved all of his siblings the exact same and was very close to them all.
Da was proud to be a coal miner in the pit for 31 years, mostly being in 26 Colliery. He was then honoured to be a member of The Men of the Deeps, beginning in 1995, where he made some amazing friends (brothers!) who had more stories to tell of the laughs, camaraderie, and road trips they shared together. Da was always a practical jokester planning his next prank. If you were lucky enough to be in his presence for 5 minutes, you either had a sore face from smiling or a sore stomach from laughing. His life motto was to be nice, and he wanted everyone to get along. We take comfort in knowing he’s reunited with his best friend and wife of over 41 years; our mom, Barb.
Da is survived by his daughter Tanya, her husband Andy Mahar who was like a son to him, and their son Nick, who he was so proud of watching him play hockey, always insisting on cheering for “Marford”. His son Mark: who was his best friend, golf and crib buddy, who will miss their daily phone calls and banter. His wife Natasha, who was like a daughter to him, and their daughters, Chelsea, Aleah, Audrianna and Chloe, who were “Poppy’s Girls”. They loved him and all had a very special close bond with him.
Also daughter Katia, husband Phil and children Charlie and Romeo (Montreal). His siblings Charlene (Ron) Pelletier, Roy (Cathy) Mugford (Mel and Barb’s golf partners!), Monica (Graham) MacDonald, Jim (Eileen) Mugford, Eric (Sabina) Mugford, Kevin (Linda) Mugford, Norma (Adrian) Currie, Allan Mugford, and Carson (Donna) Mugford. His in laws, Donna (Jerry) MacPhee, Patricia (Ben Chisholm), Rosann (Jeff Hurley), Jean (Stephen) Phillips, Cyril “Teddy” Macdonald, and his many nieces and nephews who loved Uncle Mel. Honorary mentions are Aunt Eileen Norton, Aunt Linda Bond, nephew Connor, Tanya’s mother-in-law Cindy Mahar, friends Gerard, Rob, and Tanya and Mark’s lifetime friends, Jay O’Brien and Carolyn MacNeil. Predeceased by his loving wife Barb, his parents Roy and Audrey Mugford, Barb’s parents Ivy and Cyril, brother-in-law Joe, and sister-in-law Doris.
His funeral will be held Wednesday, 5:00pm at the Salvation Army Glace Bay, by invitation only due to Covid-19 restrictions. Anyone at home wishing to may watch the livestream via Patten Funeral Home’s facebook page. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Salvation Army GB or any foundation close to your own heart.
The family would like to thank everyone who has called, texted or otherwise reached out in these last few weeks offering love and support for our Da. They would also like to thank all the nurses, doctors and hospital staff who were nothing but kind. All the love, support and prayers we received over these past few weeks. We take comfort in knowing he’s back in the arms of our Mom.
Remember; “Always be nice”.
