Longtime horse owner Melvin Willis of Cambridge, Ont. passed away peacefully at St. Joseph's Health Centre in Guelph on Friday June 28, 2013 in his 81st year.
Melvin was born in Kingston, P.E.I. on February 6, 1933 and was the owner and operator of Ayr Coach Lines Ltd. In addition to being involved with minor hockey, the bus and travel industries, Willis loved harness racing. He owned horses dating back to the 1960s up until today, including in-to-go trotter Zip The Lip.
Beloved husband of Marion Wooldridge, loving father of Ruth Rivers and her husband James, David and his wife Michele, and Alan and his wife Cindy all of Cambridge. Also survived by seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren, his brothers Glydon and his wife Doris of Goderich, Orville and his wife Greta of P.E.I., and sisters-in-laws Ellen and Elaine, and nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at Coutts Funeral Home, 96 St. Andrews St., Cambridge, on Wednesday July 3, 2013 from 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at First United Church, 15 Wellington St. Cambridge on Thursday July 4, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. Cremation to follow. As expressions of sympathy donations to the charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Melvin Willis.
Condolences to Mel's family.
Condolences to Mel's family. Met all three brothers in the 1980's and it was a pleasure seeing them at any time since then.GREAT family.
My condolences to the Willis
My condolences to the Willis family. I always remembered Mel coming to the barn on Saturday morning and the great talks we had. Thanks for the memories.
Toall of Mel's family , my
Toall of Mel's family , my deepest condolences go out. I remember back in Saint John when his brother Orville and I owned horses together we had such great laughs and times especially when Mel was around.If you look up integrity in the dictionary , Mels picture would be right beside it. These people can never be replaced nor forgotten. My deepest condolences. God bless.
My condolences to the entire
My condolences to the entire Willis family. There were no bigger supporters of the game. A big loss for the harness racing community!