Melvin Earl Hill
August 29, 1945  -  July 16, 2017

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Melvin Hill of Chatsworth, passed at the age of 71 at GBHS Owen Sound July 16, 2017, with his loving family by his side. Mel is survived by his dear wife of  52 years, Elaine (nee Greene) and their children Lance Hill (Lori) of Owen Sound, Georgia Stanley (Dean) of Owen Sound, and Tammy Hill (Bruce Nickerson) of Newmarket. He will be lovingly remembered by his grandchildren Jeremy, Tiana, Jacob (Torie), Isaac, Payge, and Eric. Mel is also survived by brothers-in-law Ken and Herbie Greene, sisters-in-law Gloria Dunston (Michael), Marg Hill, Marilyn Kaul (Werner), Carol Publuske, and Susan Goggins. Dearly missed by Priscilla “Bunny”, Gladys, and special friend Barry McEwen (Elizabeth). He will also be missed by many nieces and nephews. Mel was predeceased by his parents Edwin and Carolene Hill (nee Byers), siblings Ted, Jim, and Nellie, brother-in-law Trunus, and sister-in-law Priscilla Miller.​

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Mel was born in Owen Sound and lived all of his life in the Chatsworth area. He was very fortunate to have met the love of his life, Elaine. at an early age.  He would romance her by packing a cooler with crackers and cheese,  and head along the railway tracks on a homemade railway cart. Together they would raise three children. The other love interests in his life were the outdoors and his love of steel; even better if it had a motor. From motorcycles, to railway cars, a zamboni  or a ferris wheel, there was little that would not captivate his attention or imagination. His passion for metal sprawled over more than 20 acres of his property, yet Mel could recall where every piece lay, should a neighbour come looking for just the right part on "Clayton Delaney Lane". His favourite bike to ride was a 750 Honda, but his pride and joy, was an  Indian motorcycle which he was painstakingly restoring for years; his fastidious nature requiring that each new part be just right. Mel's family recall that this same nature even spilled over to his fast food, as a McDonald's hamburger ordered with no pickle, meant no pickle was ever to come near the plate. He and Elaine enjoyed their everyday walks with their dogs in the outdoors, sometimes in Harrison Park, or to Kettle's restaurant, where a tub of raspberry ripple had Mel's name on it, or just in the backyard to show the grandkids the frog ponds and forest there.  In his later years, Mel would always rise early, meet his coffee crew to share lies and solve the world's problems, and then head to the YMCA. He was quiet and confident, always a straight shooter, and a hard working, multi-talented man, as his over 40 years of service at RBW would attest. These traits endeared him to all he met and established Mel as a loyal friend and trusted confidante. 

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A Funeral Service for Mel Hill will be held  at the GARAFRAXA HILL FUNERAL HOME, Chatsworth, on Thursday July 20, at 3:00 pm. with a visitation one hour prior, Pastor Kara McCluskie officiating. Family and friends are invited to a luncheon at the funeral home reception area following  the service. Private family inurnment at Chatsworth Cemetery, Chatsworth. Donations to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada would be appreciated. Condolences may be expressed online at www.garafraxahillfuneral.com.