Mel Dunford

MEL DUNFORD Of South River Passed away peacefully on Sunday April 12, 2015 in his 74th year. Mel leaves behind his beloved wife Mary (nee Matheson) of nearly 30 years; his former spouse Leona (nee Stacey); his sons Steven, Mark, James and daughter Beverly. Mel was the very proud grandfather of 10 grandchildren. Mel would be the first to admit that he was atypical, a man who marched to a different drummer. At 16 he left home to see the world through a porthole. After seven years of travel and various escapades, he returned to school at 23. Mel boasted about never working a day in his life. Well, at most, a few months. The two jobs he held as a youth and adult: A seaman and a cop in Toronto for over 25 years. He insisted that he would have laboured at for nothing if he did not need the money. He was amazed that they paid him well for time spent mostly enjoying himself. At 53 he retired. As before, Mel and Mary continued to travel and learn; adding house building, farming, gardening, wine making, photography and self sufficiency skills to an already energetic sundry lifestyle which included a good dose of both salt and freshwater fishing. At times Mel spent the entire day doing little except netting fish for Mary. Arrangements for Mel are being handled privately with the family and have been entrusted to the Opatovsky Funeral Home-Moore Chapel, 9 Paget Street in Sundridge. A service to celebrate Mel's life and interment will be held at a suitable time in his adopted home: Mary's cherished, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. If desired, memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be sincerely appreciated by the family. Note: My name is Mel Dunford. At present I am running my fool legs off trying in vain to keep ahead of the Devil while wishing that I was riding my Yamaha. I approved the above message. Cancer is a bitch. Judy, thanks a lot. Goodbye all.