Melvin "Mel" Rystephanuk

Melvin Neil Rystephanuk passed away on November 16, 2022 at the Sandy Lake Personal Care Home at the age of 86

Mel was born on December 21, 1935 to Steve and Anne Rystephanuk on the family farm several kilometers South of Sandy Lake. He began his education at Mount Calm school and graduated high school in Sandy Lake. Growing up, he helped on the farm and participated in school activities.

In 1954, Mel enlisted and was accepted into the Royal Canadian Air Force and served on bases in British Columbia and Quebec. While stationed in BC, he married a lovely gal named Lillian Marusyk in 1960. After his discharge, they moved to Manitoba where Mel worked for Simpson Sears, but after several months, they moved back to BC.

Mel joined the BC Telephone Company servicing a microwave repeater station high above the Salmon Creston Skyway near Nelson, where they resided for several years. They then moved to North Vancouver where Mel drove the winding 35 miles daily to Squamish to service the Black Tusk Tower station.

Mel had a great liking for Mopar machines and was proud of his 1969 Chrysler    Imperial Convertible, plus his purple jet ski boat called Plum Crazy. He enjoyed water skiing and winter skiing on those beautiful BC mountains. Unfortunately, Mel and Lil parted company in the early 70s and had no children.

In 1973, Mel left BC Telephone and took up employment with the Federal Department of Public Works as a Hydrographic Surveyor, traveling both the Island and Interior of BC.

After the Government privatized that department, Mel decided to move back to Sandy Lake in 1985 to be closer to family. Mel worked for Lewandoski Farms in the elevator Robert purchased after the railway closed the line. He was fun loving and always willing to help family and friends when called upon.

Mel was always up for an adventure. In his travels, he sailed with a couple in their sailboat to Hawaii and back, and when asked how his trip went, he just said "never again"! He also spent time in Jamaica helping a friend build a resort. He was a member of the St Nicholas Church of the Orthodox Church of Canada. Upon his retirement, he lived in the low rental units in Sandy Lake and moved into the Sandy Lake Personal Care Home in 2013 where he lived until his passing. Mel is predeceased by his parents Steve and Anne, sister Helen Maluk (Eugene), sister Pearl Mendro (Peter), brothers Lawrence, Jack (Sadie) Ernie (Martha) and Peter.

He is survived by Lawrence's wife Elsie and Wilf Lederhaus and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

We shall certainly miss you Uncle Mel, but always remember your gentle nature and "forever young" attitude.