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OSMOND MELLON Heaven has a new angel, one feisty Irishman named Osmond (Ossie) Mellon, Sunday, January 19, 2014 at 7:45 p.m. at the age of 76. My sweetheart, my husband, my friend passed away after a brief illness. I am heartbroken but so grateful that I was with him at the end. Ossie's heaven will look like a version of Ireland, where he was born and raised and Newfoundland, a favourite place to visit - great expanses of rolling green hills, a wide, wide sea and rocky cliffs. Music will continually fill the air, the sounds of button box accordions will be heard everywhere. There will be cameras in everyone's hands as they ride their bikes around - every day will have a garage sale or auction and Ossie will be the number one salesman - every meal will have strawberry milkshakes and French fries, oh and bacon!! The weather will always be warm and there will be no pain or sadness. Fly fishing and English football will be everyone's favourite hobbies and every wrist will sport a fancy watch. Jokes will be told at every opportunity and nobody will take anything too seriously! Born and raised in Northern Ireland Ossie came to Canada in his early 30s. He held many sales positions owned bicycle shops in Ireland and Winnipeg was the owner of Shino International Cycle featuring custom designed and hand built bikes "Omega" brand for which he was well known in the cycling world. He imported bikes from Europe and Taiwan held the position of team mechanic for Team Canada. But work did not define Ossie, he was a dreamer, story teller, inventor, advice giver, collector and jokester. He had a soft spot for anyone down on their luck and always tried to lend a helping hand or put a smile on every face. He was a private man but treasured his personal relationships, too many special people to name here but you all know who you are. The family friends and business acquaintances he leaves behind in Canada, Ireland, Scotland, England, Taiwan and literally worldwide undoubtedly all have many interesting memories I only wish I could hear them all! Thank you to Dr. George and the nursing staff of Grace Hospital for your wonderful care, concern and compassion, thank you to the Oak Bluff ambulance attendants and the Rosser volunteer fire brigade for your swift action and professional care. Thank you to dear friends and family including all my Facebook friends near and far who have shown me overwhelming love and support. In keeping with Ossie's wishes no funeral service will be held. "Ossie my love, until we meet again you are forever in my heart. The almost 16 years we shared were so special. Remember to pick up our furbabies at the rainbow bridge, they are waiting for you! Love you always and all ways" Bernadette Cropo Funeral Chapel 204-586-8044
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 25, 2014
Condolences & Memories (4 entries)
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I met Ossie Mellon while racing in the Tour of Manitoba in '74. He put me up in his apartment and was a generous host and a very likable guy. I learned of his passing while having a beer with Tom Harland, at a bar,in Cuba in 2016. It is a small world and both Tom and I had a good time reminiscing about Ossie. - Posted by: Peter Marshall () on: May 05, 2016
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How sad to hear that Ossie Mellon died in January 2014. I remember him from 1976 and I thought that his family and friends might like to know about the circumstances. Almost exactly 40 years ago a friend and I, both from England, were cycling across Canada from Vancouver to the Olympics Games in Montreal when we chanced to meet Ossie. As we cycled into Winnipeg one late afternoon in late May/early June, a cyclist (Ossie) came up alongside us and started chatting. We asked if he knew of a bike shop where we could buy some spokes for one of our rear wheels which was collapsing and he directed us to Shino's bike shop. If we remember correctly, at the address was a boutique or some such shop but after a while we noticed a door leading down some steep stairs to Ossie's bike shop below. Ossie refused to sell us the spokes but said that he would rebuild the wheel but only using the best double butted spokes. He said that he would accept nothing more than $5.00 - what a kind and generous man! He set to work on the wheel by which time it was well past closing time. Enthusiastic cyclists and other sports people, including a speed skating champion, drifted in. Ossie proclaimed that he was hungry and that it was time to eat. He decided that his son should go out for what he described as the best burgers in Canada and said that one of us should accompany him. So as he was still working on my wheel he lent us with a brand new road racing bike built using one of his own hand made frames. Once we had eaten and consumed a few cans of beer, all provided by Ossie, my bike was ready so we phoned the Youth Hostel and YMCA but they were full so Ossie said that we could sleep in his shop but that he would have to lock us in! He told us that it was likely that in the early hours of the morning, a couple of lads would come in to paint some bike frames. One of the lads, sporting a plaster on a broken arm, turned out to have been a breaststroke bronze medallist in the 1972 games. The next morning Ossie came back and took us to his parents’ place where we stayed for the next couple of days. Ossie Mellon, an extraordinary man - affable, generous hearted and kind - who helped out two poor & tired young Brits in their time of need. A chance meeting but one which gave us memories that have lasted 40 years and that helped to shape our own lives. Nick Chetwood & Roger Deacon. P.S. If anyone stumbles accross this little tale of thanks to Ossie, please could they pass on our thoughts and best wishes to Ossie’s family. nickghyll@aol.com - Posted by: Nick Chetwood (A chance meeting with Ossie 40 years ago) on: May 03, 2016
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Uncle Ossie, I may not have seen you as often as I would have liked to. However I will remember your witty ways, funny jokes and I will ALWAYS remember you slipping me 10's & 20's when we shook hands! Makes me laugh when I think of it. You will always hold a very special place in my heart. Bernadette, I pray during this difficult time you are comforted by all the wonderful memories you and Uncle Ossie shared. Forever Loved, Never Forgotten, Your niece Diane, husband Greg, your great nephew Jacob xo - Posted by: Diane Beemer (Neice) on: Jan 27, 2014
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Grandpa Ossie, I will miss you dearly, I wish we could have grown closer throughout my years growing up and cherished the similarities in enjoying watches and cameras. You will be missed and I will continue to think about you every day. Love your granddaughter - Posted by: Taylor Mellon. (Granddaughter. ) on: Jan 25, 2014
