McCLUSKEY, MELVILLE
Melville Lawrence McCluskey of Saint John passed away unexpectedly at the Saint John Regional Hospital on March 29, 2015. Mel was born in Saint John on November 20, 1924 to the late Patrick and Jean (Rae) McCluskey. Mel touched many lives throughout his 90 years and will be remembered as a veteran, athlete, devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.
After lying about his age with an altered birth certificate, Mel enlisted in the Canadian Army at age 15 in 1939. After his ruse was uncovered by his brother Leo, Mel was sent home due to his underage status. In 1941 Mel “rejoined” this time with the Canadian Air Force, finishing his military service with the Navy in 1945.
Mel saw action overseas and his time in Europe was the subject of many great stories. As a great storyteller, these stories would often fall on eagerly awaiting ears. Mel later returned to Europe for an anniversary of the war to revisit towns and people he encountered during the war. After the war, Mel worked for the Unemployment Insurance Commission (UIC) now known as Canada Manpower. He retired after 39 years of service.
While Mel would likely first identify himself as a proud Canadian Veteran, he was also well known for his athletic prowess. Mel loved and played hockey throughout his life, but his skill set was best suited for baseball, specifically on the pitcher's mound. In fact, Mel was offered a tryout with the Boston Braves but the responsibilities of fatherhood, and likely his love of the New York Yankees, prevailed.
Mel was known as a die hard New York Yankee fan and had traveled to many games throughout his life. Most recently, in 2013, Mel traveled to Toronto to visit his grandson and watch his New York Yankees play the Blue Jays. Mel had insisted on wearing his Derek Jeter jersey and Yankee hat despite being the only pinstripe in a sea of blue jerseys in Toronto.
Mel loved his time spent at the trailer. Whether it was in New Brunswick or in Maine, his time at "trailer land" was cherished. During his time at the trailer, as his athletic body may have acquired some rust, his competitive spirit did not. Mel loved playing horse shoes, washer toss, and lawn darts. In fact, when not at the trailer, Mel could be found practicing in the back yard, engaging in what he referred to as "spring training". Mel was also a competitive bowler for many years and enjoyed square dancing with Shirley.
As much as he loved his sports, trailering, and of course Bingo, his first love has always been, and will always be, his wife Shirley. It would be safe to say that Mel put Shirley on a pedestal and thought the world of her. Mel and Shirley traveled the world together traveling to Ireland, Hawaii, and Spain just to name a few. Mel, along with Shirley, also loved spending time with their children and grandchildren and celebrating in their successes throughout school and university.
Mel is survived by his son Michael L. McCluskey daughter-in-law Sharron McCluskey (McDougall), granddaughters Jillian McCluskey (Mark Magee) and Natalie McCluskey, grandson Michael O. McCluskey, and great-grandson William Magee.
In addition to his parents, Mel was predeceased by his wife Shirley M. McCluskey (Leahy) in 2011, daughter Pamela McCluskey in 1995, sisters Jean Vaughan and Madeline O’Hara, and brothers William McCluskey, James McCluskey, and Leo McCluskey.
Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, N.B. (634-7424) with visiting on Tuesday, March, 31, 2015 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. A Legion Tribute Service will be held during visiting on Tuesday at 7 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 from St. Pius X Church at 9:00 am. Interment will take at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
For those who wish remembrances to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family.
Online remembrances and condolences may be placed at www.brenansfh.com.