Melvin Alexander Saleski

Melvin was born in the small town of Wilkie, Saskatchewan and lived on a tiny farm on the outskirts right across from the train tracks. He loved the outdoors and yet had the ability to keep very busy in the house. For example, at a surprisingly young age he would do things like take apart the family toaster and then he would put it back together again, and have it work! Even still, school was not his passion, though he loved to learn well into later years.

At the age of 19 Mel left for Edmonton to master a welding course. He returned to Wilkie to open up business in the back of the blacksmiths shop. He kept busy with many jobs that took him all the way from Ontario to northern Alberta and BC. He always seemed to return to Wilkie. When a young Rose Antoni came home, he would devote all his time and dancing to her. They loved being together and worked that way throughout their almost 62 years of marriage.

In 1957 they added a daughter to their little family and loved life immensely.

In '62 he took a course to become an auto mechanic a field he could always find work in. Part of one job was that he also had to drive the tow truck, only this one was missing the windows in the doors! One night he was out in minus 40-degree weather and pulled the same driver out of the ditch 4 times, at that point he decided life would definitely be better in the Okanagan. He came home and announced the new plan and his wife, Rose was happy to go anywhere just to work alongside the love of her life. They packed up and began the next phase of life throughout the Okanagan. He followed his brother Gordon into the career of selling Electrolux vacuums door to door.  He loved it! That and the friendly people lead them to settle in Grand Forks, BC. His creativity came out strongly when he decided they would build an earth sheltered home in nearby Christina Lake. The trades all went on strike right then, so he just learned how to do it all on his own. Over time they downsized back to Grand Forks where they joined the Seniors Club and loved to gather with friends, play cards and dance and once again Dad used his skills to repair and update the building whenever needed.

Mel's sweetheart passed away in June 2016 and he stayed in Grand Forks for a while but soon came to live in Calgary to be closer to his daughter and family. Dementia crept into his life and though he still enjoyed the music and dancing, he needed to move again, this time in his life to Care Homes, First in Tudor Manor, Okotoks and then into Age Care Walden Heights in Calgary. We, as a family are so grateful for all the wonderful people that touched his life and helped him so much in his time of need, thank-you!!

Mel finally made his last move to return home to Our Lord on Saturday, Sept. 28th, 2024. He will truly be missed by family, friends and caregivers. We all feel fortunate to have spent time in his company over the years and helping him through the last few.

Memorial Mass for Melvin will be celebrated at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church ,10 Prestwick Road SE, Calgary, Alberta, on Monday October 7, 2024, at 11:30am. Please join us afterwards for a light lunch and to gather and share memories. 

The Interment will occur at 9AM, October 18th in Wilkie, Saskatchewan.