JANVEAU, Melvin
The family of Melvin Francis Janveau sadly wish to announce his passing on May 29th 2024 in Nanaimo, British Columbia. Mel was born October 17th, 1940, in a family of 11 siblings and grew up in the rural Township of Cameron outside the small town of Mattawa, Ontario to Joy Janveau (nee Burritt) and Ferdinand Janveau. He attended a small country school near his home and attended F.J. McElligott high school in Mattawa where he was a gifted and accomplished athlete playing football, hockey, basketball, and Track and Field.
His roots were very much country oriented, which suited his quiet nature. Mel was predeceased by his parents; baby sister Juliette, older sister Germaine, and older brother Romeo (Anita). Surviving siblings are: Donald (Jean) of Calgary, Alberta, Edward (Patricia-deceased) Ottawa, Gerald (Lee-deceased) Sault Ste. Marie, Ken (Julia) North Bay, Brenda (John-deceased) Sault Ste Marie, Jack (Constance) Ottawa, and Brian (Mary-deceased) Sault Ste. Marie.
Mel married his spouse Eva (nee Souliere) on May 18th, 1963, and they moved to North Bay to start their lives together as he had employment at the new A & P grocery store. During his life in North Bay Mel was actively involved in community sports, hockey, fastball (Men's League, GMFA and Old Timers), volleyball, basketball, and broomball. Mel had always wished to be a police officer and he took that step to fulfill his wish. On January 6th, 1964, he was offered and accepted a position as Constable with the North Bay Police Service. Mel enjoyed 32 years proudly and faithfully serving the citizens of North Bay as a police officer, retiring with honours in September 1995.
His involvement with the North Bay Police Association was almost immediate from the commencement of his career. He took on numerous commitments during that time being entertainment chairman, charity and fundraising event coordinator, co-chair of the annual Policeman's Ball, Chair of the Sports Committee from 1965 to 1990, and was Police Association President for eleven one-year terms. Mel's commitment to the North Bay Police Association as President was exceptional from its existence. He was a founding member of Club Metro in 1965; served on its building committee; was president of Club Metro from 1983 to 1993; and was instrumental in the creation and inception of the Employee Assistant Program.
In 1975 Mel founded the North Bay Police Association Youth Club in an effort to provide peers for youths in need. The Program lasted five years and Mel was recognized as a Good Citizen for his efforts by the Independent Order of Daughters of the Empire. His skills in labour organization also began in 1975 and continued to 1993 serving on every bargaining and grievance committee with the exception of years 1991 to 1993. His professionalism established historic guidelines in Police Service Collective Agreements in Ontario.
Mel was married to his loving wife Eva for over 61 wonderful years splitting time living in North Bay, Mattawa, Ottawa, and eventually in Nanaimo, B.C. He and Eva had two children, son Derrek (Lynda) Ottawa, daughter Wendy (Giovanni) and two grandchildren, Shawn Vancouver, B.C. and Kimberly (Dylan) Toronto. He will be fondly remembered and missed by his many nieces and nephews; siblings, special sister-in-law Sandra Minor (Larry St. Pierre) of Corbeil, Ontario, and his family. He was a man of great faith, kind, generous, helpful, and a gentle soul. Donations to the Dementia Foundation of your choice or the Nanaimo Community Hospice Society would be greatly appreciated.
