The world has lost a legend, well “Our Legend”.
Melvin Douglas Godwin was born December 5, 1931 in Tantallon, Saskatchewan. He married Marienna Junnila on October 22, 1955. They had four children: Daryl, Lyle, Michael, and Corrine.
Mel spent his days working as a mechanic at the local potash mine. He was an avid sportsman, he loved fishing, hunting, and trapping. He loved spending time at his log cabin at Round Lake. Many weekends were spent fishing and evenings spent around the fire listening to Saturday Night Get Together. He had an amazing memory and a knack for telling rhymes. Maybe you were lucky enough to hear him recite a few.
He loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren and he made sure he had treats nearby to give them, with or without their parent’s permission.
He took great pride in his garden and was sure to share the bounty him and Marienna produced.
Hunting season was always a ritual with annual gatherings at the garage to enjoy hunting stories and comradery over a bowl of Marienna’s homemade soup, of course made with garden vegetables. The trophy walls in that garage are a testament that the hunting tradition has carried on through all the generations and there is a story behind every set of horns, whether it be big or small.
This quiet man passed away peacefully on December 11, 2020 at 7:28 a.m. Just days after his 89th birthday, which he celebrated with Marienna and with a window visit from his three children and nearby grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He leaves to mourn his wife of 65 years (Marienna); sons Daryl (Heather) and Lyle (Sandy); daughter Corrine (Todd); grandchildren Brandi, Jesse, Jamie, Jeffrey, Brooklynn, Fallon, Derek; and great-grandchildren Dakoda, Cohen, Adlee, Hudson, Liv, Bailey, Taryn, Avery, Luke, Reid, Gia, William and Ariyah; brothers Barry and Lloyd. He is predeceased by his son Michael; grandson Corey; brothers Ivan and Murray; and sisters Jean and Donna.
Someone said he left this world in classic Mel style and snuck away with no funeral. As we all know, he hated being the center of attention.
He won’t be forgotten. We will miss you Mel, dad, grandpa.