- Brandon Sun Passages
- All Titles
Search:
Notices are posted by 10 am Monday through Saturday
RICHARD ALLAN MELIA
Born: Nov 25, 1949
Date of Passing: Aug 27, 2024
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryRICHARD ALLAN MELIA
With sadness, we announce the passing of Richard Melia at the Victoria Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Rick is survived by his wife Donna Janke, their daughter Rhea (Taylor) Verbeek and grandchildren, Forest and Norah, daughter Abby (Clint) Webb and grandchildren, Indira and Enzo, daughter Erin (Svante) Johansson and her children, as well as sister Patti (Bob) Beck, brothers, Dave (Elena), Mark (Shaureen), and Grant (Dorina), sisters-in-law, Brenda Janke and Chris Janke, and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, Carson and Rose Melia, parents-in-law, Albert and Eleanor Janke, and brother-in-law Ron Janke.
Rick grew up in St. Vital the eldest of five children in a lively household. As a teen he was a cadet in The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada. Rick worked in the Information Technology field, as a computer operator, programmer, and systems analyst. In 2000, he started his own small web-design company, from which he retired in 2011.
He enjoyed travelling to many places throughout his life. His favourite trips were to England, where he'd spent time on a Europe backpacking trip as a young adult and formed lifelong friendships with his flatmates, and to warmer climes during the cold Winnipeg winters. He loved sampling different foods. Weekly lunches with his brothers brought him great pleasure in the last year of his life.
Rick was an avid reader, especially of mysteries. He loved music. He threw himself wholeheartedly into anything he became involved in. He'd been very active in the Air Canada Winnipeg Darts Club, volunteered with his dogs at a hospital pet therapy program, and at one time taught tai chi. Meditation became a routine practice he cherished and he curiously enjoyed exploring a wide range of perspectives on our human spiritual nature. We will treasure the beautiful things he crocheted before his hands weakened.
After a few years of dealing with growing peripheral neuropathy, he accepted his 2021 diagnosis of hATTR Amyloidosis with grace and courage. He died peacefully and without fear.
What we will remember most about Rick is his sense of humour. From his days as class clown to his last days on earth, his life was filled with laughter. He always had a ready joke, good-natured remark, or pun. It was a joy for him to bring smiles to his loved ones.
Richard and his family thank the staff at the Victoria Hospital, all the healthcare professionals involved in his care over the last several years, and the Manitoba MAiD team.
A private service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 31, 2024, Aug 31, 2024
Condolences & Memories (15 entries)
-
I met Rick when he came to Dakota C.I. in 1963. He was the first other "Melia" I had ever met, and I called him my little Brother!!! I remember he always had a great smile! - Posted by: jackie melia (school friend) on: Sep 03, 2024
-
I am deeply sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. He was a wonderful human being who was always very interesting to talk to and be around. My heart goes out to you and everyone in your family. My thoughts are with you all at this difficult time. 🩷 - Posted by: Erin Whyte (Friend ) on: Sep 02, 2024
-
Vary sad to hear of Rick's passing and on behalf of all his friends here in England our thoughts are with his family. We first met Rick in 1968/9 when he turned up at the small flat I and best friend Dennis were renting in Islington having crossed the Atlantic (sort of) working his passage on some sort of Cargo boat. Having inducted him into British "pub culture" and the London music scene we became lifelong friends, staying in touch and visiting each others countries from time to time. It was a bit one sided as Rick, having worked for Air Canada, was entitled to cheap/free air tickets to get here!. He and Donna once came all the way over for just a couple of days for a memorable darts match in a hotel in Sunbury on Thames. Our return visit to their home in Winnipeg was equally memorable and enjoyable. He will always be remembered for his friendship, humour, zest for life and wholesale launch into London life. We will never forget when he borrowed a nurses uniform to attend a fancy dress party with us. He was much complimented on having a better pair of legs than his uniforms donor! Such great memories for a life well lived. - Posted by: Peter and Celia Hemmings (Long standing friends in England) on: Sep 02, 2024
-
I attended high school and Cameron Cadets with Rick. What an intelligent and witty fellow he was. A natural leader. Our world needs more like him. My sincere condolences to his wife, family and friends. - Posted by: Grant McLean (Friend and former schoolmate and fellow Cameron cadet) on: Sep 01, 2024
-
Donna, I was so sorry to read Rick's obit in Saturday's paper. My sincere condolences to you and your whole family. Rick was one of the good ones and will be sadly missed by all of his family and his friends. - Posted by: Joanne Craig (Friend from Tai Chi) on: Sep 01, 2024
-
To Donna and Rhea and all of Rick's family, I am so sorry, devastated really, to learn of Rick's passing. Please accept my deepest sympathies and know that my thoughts are with you. Rick and I were mates, going back to the earliest days of grade school. He would often make the bike trip from Hindley Avenue to Victoria Row, as I would from my place to his, and we would spend our time just chumming around as young lads did. We both joined the Queen's Own Cameron Highlander Cadet Corp at the same time, and every Wednesday evening, we would meet up on the Ellice Avenue bus for the ride to Dominion Street in the West End. Rick, John Brown, Steve Morrison, Bob Cooper and myself were 'the guys from St. Vital'. Where one was, the others were usually close by. We attended Clear Lake and Vernon Cadet camps in the early and mid-1960s. Rick attained the rank of Cadet Major in the corps, his carriage and attention to detail putting him in line for promotion quickly, while I with less-than-shiny brass buttons and two left feet advanced at a different pace. How lucky I was to have reconnected with Rick and to have seen him when you and he made the trip to Victoria a few years ago. We spent a couple of hours rehashing old times and speaking of our families - his pride in Rhea stood at the forefront. It seems we just picked up where we left off more than 50 years before. Much love to you from Darlene and me. We share your loss and your grief. - Posted by: Dunc Malcolm (Long-time friend) on: Sep 01, 2024
-
I worked with Rick at Air Canada C&SS Computer Operations. He was fun to be around with a great sense of humour. I had never heard of Tai Chi until meeting Rick. He wasn’t with Computer Operations very long and moved onward and upward. My sincerest condolences to Donna and family. - Posted by: James (Sandy) Roas (coworker ) on: Sep 01, 2024
-
I worked with Rick at Air Canda for quite a few years. My memories of Rick are he was just a great person; kind, caring, super sense of humour and so very intelligent. My sincerest sympathies to Donna and the family. RIP Rick. - Posted by: Gail Morlock (Friend and Co-worker) on: Aug 31, 2024
-
Rick was a super good guy to work with. I have many fabulous memories of him and am very grateful for the way he supported me in my career at AC. I remember travelling with him on business and he would push my taste buds for spicy food. My condolences to his family. RIP - Posted by: Shelley Blackburn (Co worker) on: Aug 31, 2024
-
Perry & I our sending our deepest condolences to Donna and all the Melia family. We have known the family for many years and are thinking of all of you at this sad time. Love, Cindy & Perry - Posted by: Cindy & Perry Blair (Friends) on: Aug 31, 2024
-
Sympathies to all the Closer family from cousin Wayne - Posted by: Wayne (cousin) on: Aug 31, 2024
-
Our Deepest Sympathies to you Donna and all the families. From Carol and Rene Baril - Posted by: Carol Baril (Cousin) on: Aug 31, 2024
-
My deepest Condolences to Donna, Rhea and family. I always enjoyed our visits whether they were in Winnipeg, Regina or even when we met in Arizona. PS I still use the dish clothes he crocheted! - Posted by: James Alexander (cousin to Donna) on: Aug 31, 2024
-
Deepest sympathies to Donna and all of your family & friends. Rick will always be remembered for his sharp wit and sense of humor. Thinking of you during this difficult time. - Posted by: Theresa Hunter (Friend & Colleague) on: Aug 31, 2024
-
Deepest sympathies to Donna and all of your family & friends. Rick will always be remembered for his sharp wit and sense of humour. Thinking of you during this difficult time. - Posted by: Theresa Hunter (Friend & Colleague) on: Aug 31, 2024