With overwhelming sadness we announce the loss of our beloved David Dickson Melville.
Dickson was born on April 20, 1936, in Galt, Ontario, to Mary (Gibson) and Alexander Melville and passed away on October 12, 2011, in Victoria, BC.
Dickson is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Evelyn; sons Ross (Tammy), Scott (Nancy), daughter Darby (Dave); grandsons Logan, Gavin, Liam and Sawyer; brother Syd (Doris), Melville niece and nephews, the Gordon Clan and the Gibson Clan. He is predeceased by his parents, his brothers, Bill and Alex, and grandson Brendan.
Dickson spent his career as a journalist and then in public relations with both Federal and Provincial governments. His path took him from a junior reporter with the Galt Evening Reporter to night editor of the Ottawa Journal, media relations in the Trudeau government, news editor with the Vancouver Sun, Director of Public Relations with the British Columbia Institute of Technology and Public Affairs Counsel for three premiers of British Columbia.
Dick was an active member of the Gizeh Shrine for more than 25 years. He served as Most Puissant Sovereign of Western Canada Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine. He was Past Master of Henderson Lodge #84, a 32-degree member of Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, a 26-year member of the Gizeh Thunderbirds Unit and a member of many affiliated Masonic orders. He was editor of the Gizeh Gazette for the Shriners of BC and Yukon and, in 2006 and 2007, won the top award for best Shrine magazine in North America.
He served two three-year terms as a member of the board of directors of the Union Club of BC; a private social club established in 1879.
The Melville family motto “A Tout Pouvoir” translates to “Provide for all” and it was Dick’s pleasure to comply; his love of entertaining reflected this. Cooking became his favourite pastime, and he took special pride in learning to make flaky, tender pastry frequently serving his accomplishments to friends and family.
Dick had a passion for politics and readily debated with anyone whose political views differed from his. Through letters to any editor, he loved voicing his opinion on any subject and was thrilled if he either changed someone else’s opinion or simply provoked a good argument.
He loved his grandchildren, his friends, taking his dog for walks on the beach and in the park, taking care of and helping other people, writing, computer design, motorcycles, music, cycling, the Seattle Mariners, reading, making up bedtime stories to tell his kids and grandkids, art, animals, technology, his hot tub, photography, singing and so many other things in life.
Dick had a special spot in his heart for his canine companions, and it was rare in his life that he didn’t have a dog. His beautiful Irish Terrier, Quinton, gave him great joy in his last few months.
Very special thanks to Dr. Amy Spink at Victoria General Hospital for her care and attention.
We are especially and forever grateful to Doug Newman for the peace and comfort that he provided to Dick in those final days.
Dick lived to the fullest and was sorry to have to leave us. He was loved by many and will be dearly missed by all.
A memorial service will be held at McCALL BROS., Johnson and Vancouver Streets, on Saturday, October 22, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. with a reception to follow in the McCall’s Family Centre.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 1529 Cedar Avenue, Montreal QC, H3G 1A6. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallbros.com.
30 Responses
I only got to know Dick at VITP a few years ago; I was touched by his kindness and warmth; I saw him recently (Aug) at Tillicum Shopping Centre and we had a good chat. In spite of his pain he managed to remember me and be interested in me.
Some folks come into our lives and make no real impression;
Dick was not one of those people.
Sincere sympathy to his family who I never met but I do remember him telling me that Evelyn was his queen.
It is hard to believe that he has left us. I keep expecting to pick up the phone and hear his voice. He had a wonderful sense of humor and such a passion for life. We will certainly miss him. Our thoughts are with you Eve. R.I.P. Dick.
Our condolences, Mark, Lynn and Alexa
Dear Evelyn:
It is hard to believe he is gone; it seems like just a few short weeks ago that he was riding his scooter with us as First Lieutenant in the
Shrine Thunderbird parades.
We will surely miss his presence and the fun we had at the many social functions we all attended in the past.
We are happy he is now free of pain and in the care of the Great Achitect of the Universe.
Our condolences to you Ev and the family,
Love Marge & Chuck
Dearest Evelyn,
Our thoughts and prayers are for you and your family at this time.
We are very sorry and sad that we will not see Dick upon
our return to Victoria,but will remember him with love and
affection.Dick and I always had a special day to celebrate,we shared the same birth date April 20th.I will always remember that.
Our love to you,and we will see you soon.
Angela and Harold xx
My sincere condolence to the Melville family.
Torrey McCall
Dick was an honourable man, a gentleman, a mentor, and an inspiration to many community leaders over the years.
He was someone I was fortunate to have as a friend and a confidant.
My condolences to to Evelyn and the family.
Bob Cross
I am so very sorry to read about Dick’s passing in the newspaper. I am truly shocked and immensely saddened. He was one of the nicest, kindest gentlemen I have ever met. I got to know him when he was a participant in one of the clinical trials I was part of. He was always smiling and talked about his family with such love and admiration. Again I am sorry for your loss. My heart and thoughts go out to you all.
Most sincerely
Renza Brown (Can-med Clinical Research)
The President & Board of Directors of the Victoria Disabled Golfers Assoc. were very saddened to hear of Dick’s passing.
Dick was our Director of Media Relations and we really appreciated all of his efforts.
Dick believed in using the game of golf to help persons with disabilities. He felt that teaching disabled persons to golf whom would otherwise never attempt it, was a great form of therapy and in building self-esteem.
I recall last May when Dick stopped by Henderson Golf Course to watch us teaching three adults with down syndrome. They were having a wonderful time and Dick’s eyes lit up and he really enjoyed it too.
Again on behalf of the Victoria Disabled Golfers Assoc., please accept our sincerest condolences.
Ottawa remembers….
Sharing in your sadness, the Kaminski and Kirkpatrick families. xoxo
Dear Ev. Please know that you and all the Melville family are in thoughts and prayers at this time. Dick is now at peace with no more pain which makes our prayers for him as it should be.
Will be thinking of you on Saturday. I hope to see you in Dec.
Yvette Nelson