Burgess, Melvin Ralph, of Vulcan, passed away peacefully at the Vulcan Community Health Centre on June 1, 2018 at the age of 87 years.
Mel was born January 24, 1931 in Vulcan to Bill and Alberta Burgess. Mel and Lena (Scott) were married on June 27, 1952 in High River. They moved into the house that was built by Mel’s Great Grandfather James Ward and resided there until 1962 when a new house was moved in. Together they raised five children. Mel started farming with his father in 1948 and continued farming with his son Terry and Grandson Corey and living on the farm. He moved in to the big white house and then eventually the Peter Dawson Lodge.
Mel loved to golf and was a member of the Vulcan Golf Club. He was also a member of the Vulcan Elks Club, Vulcan Masonic Lodge and the Vulcan Legion. Mel also belonged to the Vulcan Army Cadet Corps and joined the Calgary Highlanders in 1951 attaining the rank of Major and was C.O. of A. Company for three years. He also enjoyed flying and was a founding member of the Vulcan Flying Club, as well as traveling and camping in the mountains. He enjoyed watching baseball and in his younger years he was a baseball player.
Mel is survived by his five children – Brian ( Martha Anne) Burgess of Georgia, Beverly Burgess of Calgary, Ken (Carole) Burgess of South Carolina, Terry (Lynn) Burgess of Vulcan, Rick (Marilyn) Burgess of Merville, BC, five Grandchildren, Kari (Brian) Burgess of Calgary, Jody (Andrew) Looy of St. Paul, Corey (Danielle) Burgess of Vulcan, Erik Burgess of South Carolina and Kent (Claire) Burgess of Amsterdam, two great grandchildren Colby and Maelle Looy of St. Paul, sister and brother-in-law Allan and Shirley Fletcher and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mel was predeceased by his parents, beloved wife Lena in 2017, brothers-in-law Keith (Doris) and Melvin (Maxine) Scott, sisters-in-law Ivy (Bill) Crombie, Alice (Allan) Free and Patricia Scott.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, June 22, 2018 at 1:00 pm at the Vulcan Legion Hall, Sue MacDonald, D.M. officiating. Inurnment Vulcan Cemetery Columbarium.
If friends so desire, tributes in Mel’s memory can be made to the Vulcan Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Box 1016, Vulcan, AB T0L 2B0.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences through www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca.
So sorry Terry, Lynn and families that you have lost a Dad and Grampa. xox