LONG, Melvin

MELVIN LONG 1951 – 2022 The family of Mr. Melvin Long of Jefferson, Alberta is sad to announce that he passed away at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary, Alberta on November 29, 2022 at the age of 71. Melvin had been seriously injured after being involved in a single car accident south of Cardston, Alberta on November 24, 2022.
Melvin was born on October 15, 1951 in Cardston, Alberta to Roy and Evelyn (Waldner) Long. He was christened in the Woolford United Church. He lived and farmed in the Jefferson area most of his life. He was in the last group of students to attend the Jefferson School before it closed.
Melvin attended the University in Lethbridge taking courses in math and graduated from the Athabasca University in accounting. He got his pilot’s license and was planning to learn to fly a helicopter. He had an International Driving Permit after receiving a license to drive maximum weight vehicles. He was very involved in the Internet and explored numerous topics as well as having hundreds of friends from all around the world. He volunteered at the Lethbridge Humane Society and was well known as a knife maker.
Melvin had difficulty deciding on a career and was always on the lookout for new adventures. He eventually settled down to farm with his brother Jack. Because he and Jack remained on the farm after the death our father, our mother was able remain living in her home on the farm until she passed away.
During spring and summer Melvin worked on the farm and during the winter he drove taxi in Lethbridge, Alberta until he found a job driving large vehicles to their new owners. This took him all across Canada and through most of the United States. He enjoyed the adventure of seeing interesting places and driving very different vehicles.
When Melvin retired, he wanted to explore more of Canada, so he drove his motor home to P.E.I. camping along the way to P.E.I. and back home. For the past few years, he wintered in his place in Mexico accompanied by his beloved cats, Sophie and Maya.
Melvin was always the goofy uncle and loved for his unique gifts and stories about the places he went and the people he met. His stories about his numerous adventures kept the family laughing and shaking their heads about the choices he made. He was a kind and gentle man who was very frequently overly generous giving money and loans to people he knew. Unfortunately, he was easy to take advantage of and spent many hours running errands and driving around. He was not a confrontational person and found it difficult to ask for repayments or to say no to anyone. He was disappointed and hurt that loans to some people were never repaid and his kindness not being recognized.
He is survived by his sisters Sandra McKay of Lethbridge, Alberta, Jane Cox and her husband Doug of Spokane, Washington as well as his brother Jack Long and his wife Chris. He is also I survived by four nieces, two nephews, two grandnieces and three grand nephews. He leaves behind his two beautiful cats and his totally untrainable dog Lucy.
Melvin was predeceased by his parents, Roy and Evelyn Long and his brother-in-law, Bob McKay.
At Melvin’s request, a formal Funeral Service will not be held. He will be remembered privately by his family and his friends.
Cremation has taken place and his ashes will be spread on the farm in the Jefferson area. We will miss him and hope that he is enjoying the adventure he is presently on.
Flowers are gratefully declined. Those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the St. Andrews United Church, Box 132, Cardston, Alberta, T0K 0K0, to the Nature Conservancy of Canada located at 245 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 410, Toronto, Ontario M4P 3J1, Charitable Reg. Number: 11924 6544 RR0001 or to any animal rescue organization.
Visit www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.