GREGORY, Melville C
31 March 1937 - 25 August 2005
In His gentle mercy the Lord lifted up his son Mel from the arms of his loving friends and carried him home when He saw that Mel was tired of this earthly journey. There to greet him was his grandmother Margaret, Mom Isabel, young sons Nathaniel and David and faithful companion Yukon.
Mel looked on life as an adventure and it was from start to finish. In his 68 yrs. he wore many hats and said if he ever wrote about his life he would entitle it "From Greenpeace to Green Pastures" Mel was a mystic, musician, zodiac driver and animal affinity expert on the first two Greenpeace "Save the Whales” expeditions in the late 70’s, facing the perils of the Pacific and the Russian whalers with righteous indignation and great bravery. This was the start of a life long desire to help the environment and a deep love and affinity for the whales. In 1984 Mel was born-again, what he describes as the happiest day in his life. He left Greenpeace behind and embraced this new path. He gloried in taking the Gospel to the street and was a well known busker and street preacher on Granville Street in Vancouver and later in downtown Nanaimo where he helped many a lost soul and he in turn was helped. His uncanny resemblance to Willy Nelson took him across Canada with the Legends of Country Rock tour in the late 90s where he made life long friends. He loved being "On the Road Again." Although Mel played on many stages and with many "big name"entertainers he was never happier than when playing gospel to the whales off Dong Chong Bay in Johnstone Strait. He felt at home in Alert Bay and spent most summers there singing and preaching in the House of Prayer whenever he could. The Joy of the Lord sustained Mel these past 3 1/2 yrs as he’s lived with oral cancer. He maintained his quick wit and wonderful sense of humour throughout his life. Mel was a loving, faithful friend, patient teacher, gifted musician and song writer, a bit of a character and a man of character, he loved to debate and had many cyber friends who he’d often bury in "Mel mail" When diagnosed with cancer Mel put his faith in Jesus to help him, as He always had and eschewed medical attention until the last week of his life when he entered the palliative care unit of Nanaimo General with his friend and caregiver Kathryn by his side. The nurses and doctor's kindness and support eased his suffering as he patiently waited to step through the veil and go Home and we will forever be thankful for their compassion and care. We rejoice that Mel has left his mortal body behind and lift our voices to sing with him "When we all get to Heaven what a day of rejoicing that will be" Rest in peace dear brother.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Evangelical Tabernacle, Princess and Estevan Streets, Nanaimo, BC. Date to be announced at a later time.
Arrangements by Sands Funeral Home, Nanaimo 753-2032
John.14
[2] In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
[3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.