Melbourne “Mel” Thorpe
Melbourne “Mel” Sterling Thorpe, 94-and-a-half years of age, passed away in his hometown of Kingsville on Friday, February 26, 2021.
Born August 17, 1926 in the multi-generational Thorpe home on the 3rd Concession, Kingsville. Predeceased by his sister Rosemary (1938), his parents, Alvin (1961) and Carrie (nee Pettipiece) (1984), and his brother Stanley (1989).
Mel served as a Leading aircraftman (LAC), medical assistant, stationed at CFB Goose Bay, with the Royal Canadian Air Force from June 20, 1946 to October 21, 1949.
Mel married Margaret (nee Balkwill) on August 1, 1953. He worked many years as a dispatcher for local trucking companies to provide for his family. He was a lifetime member of the New California Trinity Church.
Mel had a lifelong passion for photography and leaves behind thousands of photos for his family to see his life through his eyes. His work in the RCAF also gave him a love of planes, often to be seen looking at the sky for glimpses of aircraft overhead. You would never catch him without a good story to tell and a camera slung around his neck.
Mel will be remembered as a loving husband of Margaret (nee Balkwill), and father to Carol (Tunk), Sandra (Flavio) D’Alimonte, Bill (Colleen), Bob (Elaine), and Merri (David) Wye. Will be dearly missed by eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A private family service will take place at Kendrick Funeral Home – Kingsville. A private burial will take place at Greenhill Cemetery in the Thorpe Family plot.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.Kendrickfuneralhome.com.
Service Details
Interment:
Location
Greenhill Cemetery
Kingsville, ON
A private family service will be held