JUNE 16, 1934 – APRIL 26, 2022
It is with deeply broken hearts that our family unites to announce the passing of our patriarch and leader. Early on Tuesday, April 26th, 2022, Melvin Leonard Parsons, loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away at 87 years, surrounded by family in Cambridge, Ontario.
Melvin will be dearly missed by his wife of 66 years, Geraldine Parsons (Vaters), his daughters Barbara (Martin McCartney) and Brenda (Aiden McGrath). His grandchildren, Kristi (Norm), Amber (Ashlee), Nicole (Bruce), Brooke (Adrian), Janis (Steve), Joel (Stef), Kate, Aaron (Angela), and Whitney (Dawson), will hold their special memories and stories of Papa, as well as his great-grandchildren: Tristan, Cassidy, Jaxson, Elam, Garrett, Kaija, Autumn, Chloe, Mitchell, Tori, Tyler, Paige, Ethan, Kinley, and Cadance.
Melvin was predeceased by all of his siblings Violet (in infancy), Lillian, Gertrude, Essie, Donald, and Alexis. They are all reunited, and it brings us peace to know Melvin will meet his mother and be held in a warm embrace.
On June 16th, 1934, Melvin was born in Glace Bay, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, to Alexander and Mary Ann (Buckler) Parsons. His early childhood was strenuous after the death of his mother when he was not even three years old, and he often found himself living with neighbours, grandparents, and other relatives around Glace Bay. Nevertheless, Melvin persevered and carved out a life for himself despite these challenging circumstances and spread his love and joy to all who met him.
Melvin bravely left Glace Bay for the first time when he was 16 and made the journey to Toronto alone with nothing. He managed to find work and live out of a hostel on Sherbourne Street when he arrived in January of 1950. Having only had an 8th-grade education, he tenaciously built a life for himself from the ground up. He met his wife, Geraldine Parsons (Vaters), in Cambridge shortly after arriving in Ontario, and the two married on December 17th, 1954. They welcomed their first daughter, Barbara McCartney (Parsons), on May 5th, 1957 and their second daughter, Brenda McGrath (Parsons), on October 13th, 1959. The small family lived in Cambridge, where Melvin worked hard as a welder - building a life for his family that he didn’t have when he was a child. He worked several jobs as a welder throughout his career, with many years at Home Hardware and Galt Glass.
His daughters frequently reminisce on many joyful memories, travelling around Canada and the United States - especially the East Coast. They will always cherish many happy years filled with travels, family reunions, and precious times at the cottage in Dorset, Ontario.
Melvin was passionate and incredibly proud of his big family and often shook his head in amazement at the “mess” he created with Geraldine. He would pull out his guitar and serenade everyone with his favourite Hank Snow songs at bonfires, kitchen parties, and Christmas Eve. He immensely enjoyed his stained glass hobby, and each one of his family members has a piece of his artwork to remember him. Melvin was proud to be part of the Salvation Army church and attended Calvary Pentecostal Assembly for many years. He was quick-witted, cheeky, and cherished Papa to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was present at every event and always exuded joy to see them pull into his driveway in Branchton, whether for a quick visit or an afternoon barbeque.
The family would like to thank the Cambridge Hospital, Paramedics, and the Waterloo Regional Police for their compassionate care and sensitivity.
Friends and relatives are invited to join the family for the following services at Coutts Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 96 St Andrews Street, Cambridge, ON N1S 1M8.
Visitation on Friday, April 29th, 2022, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Visitation on Saturday, April 30th, 2022, will occur from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, followed by a service and reception from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
A donation can be made to the Salvation Army in lieu of flowers.
Arrangements entrusted to Coutts Funeral Home
