Obituary of William Buddy Melin

WILLIAM BUDDY MELIN William Buddy Melin was born on a farm near Veteran, Alberta on November 13, 1923. He passed away on October 25, 2014 at the age of 90 years. Bud was one of six children born to Victor and Leta Melin. It was the Great Depression and in 1936, drought and an infestation of grass hoppers caused the family to move to a farm near Thorsby, Alberta, which was a much better location at least so far as farming was concerned. Bud worked on farms and in sawmills, playing baseball in summer and hockey in winter. His dream was to become a professional baseball or hockey player, but like many young men of the time, war interrupted the pursuit of dreams, and in 1943 Bud joined the army. He served as a wireless operator in the European campaign with the 7th Reconnaissance Regiment, 3rd Division, a group whose job was to gather critical information about the opposing troops and their surrounding terrain. Like many veterans, Bud never discussed his war experiences much, but it was clear that he had been deeply affected, for after the war he never fired a gun again. After his discharge in 1946, Bud went to work for the Alberta government, Department of Highways survey and construction, but it was only for a year and then Bud joined his dad and two brothers in the lumber business at Slave Lake. In June, 1948 he married Irene Nelson and together they had three children, Verona Lea, Lura, and Lorne. From 1955 to 1957 Bud worked on the Mid Canada Radar Line, which were a series of radar stations built across Canada as part of an early warning system against Soviet bomber attacks. Bud moved to Dawson Creek in 1957 to work at the air base as a fireman. When the base eventually closed, Bud returned to Alberta, working in building supplies and construction in High Level. In 1964, Bud came back to Dawson Creek to manage the Legion. Although he retired some 24 years later, he still took an active part in the Legion serving as Legion President for many years and with Veterans Affairs. A lifelong sports fan, Bud became an ardent curler and competed in many bonspiels, serving terms as president for the Dawson Creek Curling Club and Peace Curling Association. Bud and the family loved a good old sing song regardless of the occasion. His favourite tune was Blue Bells, which he introduced to the Legion and the Curling Club, because it was easy for everyone to learn the melody and lyrics. Bud enjoyed taking part in the entertainment at Legion Veteran’s Nights and was never short of a joke to tell. In the early 1970’s, Bud met the love of his life, Ruth Miller and together they shared many happy memories. On July 5, 1980, Bud and Ruth were married and together enjoyed many good times at their cabin at One Island Lake. It was not unusual to see friends coming and going at all hours of the day! Bud and Ruth were married 22 years until Ruth’s passing in August 2002. Bud was predeceased by his loving wife Ruth, his parents Victor and Leta Melin, four brothers; Frank, Donald, Philip, Ralph and one sister Joyce and grandson Michael Lapointe. Bud will be remembered by his children Verona Lea (Glenn) Flanders, Lura Mae (Dennis) LaPointe, and Lorne Melin, grandchildren Brett (Jessica) Flanders, Jennifer (Mike) Van der Hoek, and Jeffrey LaPointe, and great grandchildren McKenzie, Madison, and Jordon; Ruth’s family, Heather Woodwark (Wayne Kostiuk), Randy Miller (Judy McAuliffe), Rob (Lynda) Miller, Janet (Shane) Loiselle, their children, Stephanie (Jared) Giesbrecht, Jill Woodwark, Scott Miller, Jason (Julia) Miller, Alissa Miller, Meagan (Sam) French, Jenni Miller, Jay Miller, Kassi and Kodi Loiselle, and great grandson, Spencer French, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.