Melvin Rheal Gaudry

Obituary

Passed on

Melvin was born on June 13, 1948 in St Laurent, Manitoba to Norman and Emma Gaudry. He spent his childhood years on the farm and also found his interest of learning to play the guitar. He tragically lost his mother at the young age of 13. He moved to Winnipeg shortly after his mom passed away and started to seriously focus on the guitar with help from Lucille Lafeneur. From there on music would become his passion, mainly self taught and learned to play by ear. He soon was playing for friends and family that quickly turned into gigs at the bars in Winnipeg where he met his first wife Shirley. They married that would eventually produce a son and daughter. He would continue playing at night, while maintaining jobs at Manitoba Sausage as an owner operator, delivering sod for his family and eventually started a long career as a professional truck driver with Purolator Courier. Melvin would officially retire in 2003 due to continuous heart related health problems. He developed high blood pressure at a very young age. His first love has always been music. He spent much of the 70s performing the Main Street circuit of bars including the Royal George, The Airport Hotel, Downs and the Stock Exchange, a local St Laurent hang out. Performing with many musicians such as Gene Britisher, Mel Bruce, Leonard Gladu eventually forming a band with Jack Lavineway and Carol Swazey. He would later go onto form other bands, Country Connection and Rebels county that would include his nephew Barry Gladu. Later in life, Dad had the pleasure of playing with Ivan Spence regularly at the Metis Club and other shows throughout the city. Throughout his life, he always entertained in someone’s kitchen with just him and his cherished Gibson 45. Dad also enjoyed cooking, with homemade soups being his specialty, playing crib, watching old westerns and listening to good Country Music. He loved his grandchildren, spoiling them every chance he could and was very involved with all of their hobbies and interests. Ironically Dad was diagnosed with an enlarged heart in his early 50’s and for those who knew him well he had a big heart that he wore on his sleeve giving hugs and emotional affections to all his friends and family. Dad is survived by his brother Robert (Rolonde), Elmer (Verna), Barbara(Len), children Gene(Lori), Rachelle, grandchildren Emma, Jamie, Randel and Elaina and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his mother and father Norman and Emma, sisters Doreen Allard, Nora Abgrall and brother Brian. Many thanks to all the people at the Heart Failure Clinic, his Pharmacist in Stonewall, ladies of the Metis Club, his friend Gerald from Stony Mountain, and a special thanks to Louise Mkay and the Boudreau families for all your help at the hospital. Donations can be made to the Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation. Honorary pallbearers Allan Gaudry, Barry Gladu, Gerald Mason, Lloyd Waldner, Joanne Boudreau. Service will be held at St Laurent Roman Catholic Church on Saturday March 10, with Prayers at 10:30 AM. followed by service at 11:00AM. Lunch to follow at the St Laurent Hall with an open mic for all musicians that would like to pay tribute to our dad. “Fill my life with a song, a happy happy song and let the whole world sing it with me”

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