Mel was born in Kindersley, Saskatchewan on August 30, 1956. He spent the first 2 years of his life in Brock, Saskatchewan. He moved to Maple Creek in 1958, where he grew up and graduated high school in 1974. He was involved in many sports including football and hockey. He remained a big fan of Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Montreal Canadians. Mel loved to old time dance and for a big man was very light on his feet. His first job was with the CPR and then moved over to Sask Power where he worked until retirement in January 2011. He worked at Hatton Compressor station until a skiing accident left him with a disability that meant he had to move to Regina and work at the Sask Power Communication Centre. After his retirement he stayed in Regina until his passing.
Mel was predeceased by his parents Ron and Shirley; and brother Bruce. He survived by his two sisters, Bev and Sharon; brother Les; sister-in-law Tracy; nephew Andrew; niece Shelby; one Aunt Sheryn Vaughan; and numerous cousins.