Melvelle "Mel" Ryan

Mel was born in Ardath, Saskatchewan to John and Beatrice Ryan, the second of five children, on September 26, 1915. During the depression, the family lost their home in Ardath and moved to Canwood where they started a new homestead. In 1929, Mel and a friend joined many other young men who were ‘riding the rods’ looking for work in other areas: Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta, when he eventually found a home in Colonsay, Sask. working at the Simmon’s farm. When war was declared, Mel joined the Saskatoon Light Infantry on February 2, 1940 and went overseas in August 1940, he later transferred to the Lake Superior Regiment. Mel (known as Buck to his buddies) fought with the 2nd Army from France, through to Holland, then on to Germany. He often said the other side must have been lousy shots because they shot at him for years and never hit him! Mel came back from overseas in June 13, 1946 after a stint of military occupation in Germany. After the war, he kept in touch with many of the men he served with. When they got together, a strong sense of comradery could be seen and heard through the many stories shared and the ongoing laughter from this group of friends.

In 1947, Mel married the love of his life, Wilma Robson (1926). Wilma predeceased Mel in 2009. Mel and Wilma had five children Betty Ann predeceased Mel and Wilma. They are survived by their remaining children: Rick (wife Maureen) (Dawn and Amber); Ron (wife Karen) (Allie); Pat (husband Rich) (Denise, Alina and Amanda); and Reg (wife Jennifer) (Mitchell and Steven). Mel has 7 great-grandchildren (Kyra, Dennis, Liam, Tessa, McKenna, Braydon, and Orlando).

Mel and Wilma started their married life in Saskatoon and Mel worked at CNR Express. In December 1957, they traded their home in Saskatoon for the down payment on the Colonsay Hotel. Mel was a longstanding member of the Royal Canadian Legion where he held various executive positions. Mel enjoyed camping, fishing, curling, golfing, playing cards, and helping at the local swimming pool. Mel retired from the hotel in 1975 and spent many years traveling throughout Canada and the U.S. with Wilma in their FunCraft Camper.

In 2005, Mel and Wilma left Colonsay to move to Williams Lake, BC to be closer to Reg and his family. In 2014, Mel moved to Kamloops with Reg and his family.

Mel had many meaningful sayings, but the one that may have kept him going to 106 years of age could have been; “It’s a good life, if you don’t weaken!”

Arrangements have been made to place Mel and Wilma Ryan in their final resting place at the Colonsay Cemetery on September 26, 2022 at 10:30 am.