Obituary of Melvin John Whittingham

WHITTINGHAM: Melvin (Mel) John Whittingham passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 2, 2016 in the palliative care unit of Prairie Mountain Health. Mel was born in 1942 in Killarney, Manitoba and moved with his family to Deloraine at age five where he was raised and went to school. He moved to Portage La Prairie in 1959, where he worked and became a mechanic by trade. There he met his wife, Donna, and they married in 1964; later settling in Brandon where they spent most of their 52 years of marriage with the exception of one year in Nanaimo, British Columbia. In Brandon they raised their daughter and son, who have fond memories of their family activities, trips and his sense of humour. Mel was a very hard working man, and had a talent of mastering many things. This included the renovation of two homes including the electrical, plumbing, carpentry and cement work. He became a whiz at the computer, which he enjoyed, and spent endless hours enjoying his yard, gardening and feeding the birds and squirrels. Mel was predeceased by his parents Edna and Henry Whittingham; Uncle Gordon Smith; and brother-in-law Howard Roberts. He is survived by his wife Donna; daughter Wanda of Vancouver; and son Alan (Darcie) and grandsons: Austin and Ethan of Pender Island, British Columbia. He is also survived by his sister's Marie Roberts of Portage La Prairie; Donna Peters (Steve) of Brandon and several nieces and nephews. We wish to thank Dr. Visser, the staff at the Cancer Care Centre, and all the Nurses at Prairie Mountain Health that gave him such excellent care. A private family Celebration of Life will be held in Mel's honour at a later date. In lieu of flowers, should friends desire, contributions may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 415-1st Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 2W8. He will be sadly missed by many friends and relatives, and will surely never be forgotten.