Our hearts are heavy as we announce the passing of Mel on Thursday, July 2, 2009. Mel passed away peacefully with his wife, Greta or as he liked to call her “my sweetheart” by his side along with his two stepdaughters, Penny Camus and Holly MacIntyre.
Mel fought his battle with Lewy Body Dementia with the bravery and courage for which he was well known.
Mel was born on September 11, 1930, in New Waterford. He was the son of the late David and Mary (MacIssac) Nearing.
He was a boxer in his early days and fought in Madison Square Garden. He won 50 of his 54 amateur and pro boxing fights winning over half of them by the KO route. He won the Maritime Flyweight Title in October 1947 and a month later (November 1947) he won the Bantam Weight Title. Former manager of the first Canadian boxing team to go to Havana, Cuba, he served as an official referee and judge while there and refereed amateur boxing bouts throughout the United States, Canada and Nova Scotia. He was instrumental in establishing the first boxing club in Sydney for young boxers. In 1967 he was named boxing co-chairman to act as a consultant to the Cape Breton Boxing Commission. In 1979, he was elected president of the Nova Scotia Amateur Boxing Association (Cape Breton Branch).
In 1979, Mel was inducted into the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ont. and on May 26, 2007 Mel was inducted into the Cape Breton Sport Hall of Fame in Sydney, N.S.
In 1945-46 while playing with New Waterford Strands, he and his teammates won the Cape Breton and Provincial Juvenile Basketball Championships.
Mel was a Korean War veteran serving as a medical aide in the Canadian Army from 1950-1954. He voluntarily signed up for a second tour of duty in Korea. He was honourably discharged and awarded the Korea Medal and UNS Medal. Mel was a member of Ashby, Legion Branch 138, and had the honour of laying a wreath for the Korean veterans at Remembrance Day services.
Mel was a barber by trade and operated Mello’s Barber Shop in Whitney Pier. His sign said, “We cut everything but the prices”. Mel also taught barbering and hairstyling at Marconi Campus until his retirement.
In 1990 Mel received the human rights award for standing up for the rights of negroes and also a certificate of merit from the correctional center for outstanding services.
He was a valued member of Men’s Cursillo and New Beginnings. Mel had a beautiful voice and everyone loved to hear him sing “Danny Boy”. He sang with choirs and on Mass for Shut-ins.
Me was predeceased by his father and mother, David and Mary (MacIssac) Nearing and by brothers, Cyril, Ernie, Mark and Michael (Vertie) and sisters, Francie MacDougall, Colette Murphy, Blanche Boutilier and Clara Murray. Mel was also predeceased by his first wife, Uhleen (MacPherson).
Mel is survived by sisters, Gladys (John) Prior, Gertie (George) Bourgeois and Vera Nearing. He is also survived by sons, Kevin (Andrea), Ian (Nicole) and Mark Nearing and by daughters, Anita Euteneier; son-in-law, Lawrence Euteneier, Danette (Louis) Guibord, Paula Nearing, Carmie (Todd) Blevins, Shauna (Morten) Loj, Meline (Brad) Hunter, Lauren (Jason) Scott. Also by grandchildren, Maggie, Allie and Nico Euteneier, Annie and Zack Nearing, Kiera, Danica and Jacob Guibord, Jack and Daisy Blevins, Isabella, Jonas and Oscar Loj, Emily, William and Oliver Hunter, Brenan, Haylee and Ryan Nearing, Lochlan and Raven Scott; step-granddaughter, Amanda Pearson; step-grandson, Logan Scott and two great-grandchildren. Mel is also survived by his wife and soulmate, Greta and by stepchildren, Blair (Ellen) Gushue, April Conn; step son-in-law, Allan Conn, Holly MacIntyre; step son-in-law, Tom MacIntyre, Brad Surette, Penny (Joel) Camus; eight step-grandchildren, Michael Conn, Craig (Robin) Laurie, Stephen and Brian Gushue, Rebekah and Ryan MacIntyre, Jeremy Camus and two great step-grandsons, Brayden and Nicholas Gushue and great step-granddaughter, Kameron Gushue.
As per Mel’s request, there will be no visitation or funeral. Cremation will take place and a celebration of Mel’s life will take place at the Horizon Achievement Centre, 780 Upper Prince St., Sydney, on Sunday, July 12, 2009 from 6-9 p.m. (wheelchair accessible).
Donations in Mel’s memory may be made to Lewy Body Dementia for research (Alzheimer Branch) or The Cove Guest Home.
Mel — To know him was to love him.
Condolences may be sent to the family at sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca.

Hommages

• John D. Steele’s & Sons LTD. Monument Manufacturers
  902-794-2713
  Site Web

• Thoms Flowers
  902-849-8989
  Site Web