January 16, 1955 - March 24, 2024
For 69 years, our world was brightened and enriched by a man whose kindness, generosity, energy and zest for life were boundless. Melvin Albert Enge, born January 16, 1955 left this world peacefully on March 24, 2024. He died as he lived: on his own terms and knowing the love of his family and friends.
Mel was born in Edmonton, Alberta and raised in the Northwest Territories. He was the eldest of seven children born to Anne (Mercredi) Enge. In 1956, his mom returned to Fort Smith with two children, Brad having been born in early 1956. The family lived in Fort Smith until 1958, then they moved to Apex in Frobisher Bay, now Iqaluit. From there, more kids arrived and in 1963, moved to Inuvik, then back to Fort Smith and finally in 1969, settled in Yellowknife. Growing up he played and mastered many sports, including ice hockey, basketball, badminton, volleyball, and squash. Among his many sporting endeavors, he competed in the 1971 Canada Winter Games in Saskatoon playing volleyball. In the 1972 Arctic Winter Games he played basketball. Mel was devastated when the NWT Men's lacrosse team had trained every day in preparation for the 1973 Canada Summer Games, but the entire team was cut-out of the NWT contingent at the last minute for reasons unknown. He did go on and get to compete in the 1974 Arctic Winter Games in Anchorage, Alaska playing basketball once again. Mel was a seriously passionate NFL Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Go Steelers!!
Mel started out getting a feel for financial management when he worked for PanArctic Oil and Gas that required him to move and live in Calgary in 1975. After he completed a Bachelor of Management with a major in Public Administration degree at the University of Lethbridge, Mel joined the Government of the Northwest Territories. He worked in a variety of capacities, becoming an analyst with the Financial Management Board Secretariat. He was known as a hard worker and a great colleague, who went above and beyond the call of duty. He rose through the ranks, ultimately becoming the Department of Finance's Corporate Affairs Director. He retired in 2010 at the ripe old age of 55 after 30 years of public service and began a new and exciting phase of his life as a full-fledged member of the "Dinosaur Club".
Throughout his life, Mel loved to travel. He would return from trips to exotic places with stories of great food, amazing sites, and adventures (some more exciting than he would have liked). He was asked whether or not he would please write a travel book with the title "My Worst Vacations Ever" or "Vacations from Hell", he declined. Retirement allowed him to indulge this passion for travel full-time. He moved to San Jose, Costa Rica in 2010, which allowed him to experience places through South and Central America. He moved to Calgary, Alberta for a brief period and then to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where he lived for several years and made innumerable friends from Canada, Europe, the United States, and Mexico. He loved having his friends and family from all over Canada come to visit him and ensured they had a memorable time.
Among Mel's greatest joys were his nieces and nephews. Selfless, he always had time to spend with them and that time was pure magic. Their eyes would light up as soon as "Uncle Mel'' walked into the room. Some would say he spoiled them, but he would probably say he was just meeting their needs. After all, what child does not "need" endless roller coaster rides, tubs of gummy worms, chocolate bars, pink televisions, fancy shoes, hockey sticks, or more toys?
Mel returned to his home in Yellowknife in 2018 to deal with some health challenges. Unfortunately, just as he got these under control, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January of 2020. The prognosis was dire, and he was not expected to live more than 3 to 6 months. Strong and stubborn, Mel beat the odds and we were blessed to have him in our lives, and in relatively good health, for four more years. Mel, was a bona fide gladiator and fought long and hard to survive to try and beat this unrelenting cancerous foe. We are all so grateful that he did fight for life for these past four formidable years, we are eternally grateful.
Melvin was pre-deceased by his parents, Anne and William Enge. Survived by his step-father Charlie White, by brothers Brad, Bill, Arnold, and Earl, and sisters Susan and Audrey. He also leaves his former sister-in-law Cathy, nephew Trystan, niece Lorraine (Mike) and great nephews Henry, Braden and Milo, niece Bethany (Chris) and great nephew Lincoln, great niece Wynn, niece Nicole, sister-in- law Justice Karan Shaner and nephew Daniel, and niece Janet and a niece, Shelley. Plus aunt Ethel Blondin Andrew and numerous cousins in Yellowknife and Fort Smith and his former brother-in-law Paul Adkin and former sister-in-law Ginny Enge.
The Enge Family extend heartfelt appreciation and thanks to all of the medical staff, hospital institutions and medical clinics and labs who provided such caring professional care and treatment. We cannot name each and everyone, but we would be remiss if we did not extend our deepest appreciation for what they did for Mel. The following are outstanding in their professions, Dr. Smiley from the Cross Cancer Institute, and the staff at the Stanton Cancer Centre, Dr. C. Scott who answered calls at all hours and days and made home visits to examine and evaluate Mel. The staff at Stanton Hospital Emergency Department who provided such critical care on so many occasions to deal with the distress and urgent situations facing Mel's health and wellbeing. Palliative Homecare RN Paulette Larocque who provided the utmost medical care when Mel was so critically ill with pain and suffering...you and Dr. Scott are "angels of mercy" and we will be eternally grateful for what you did for Mel. Homecare Services were incredible service providers and do such incredibly superb work. When the situation was dire, they came through with all the help Mel needed.
Mel, our hearts are broken but we are buoyed by the memories you helped us make. We will miss everything about you, especially your zest for life, your generosity, infectious laugh, humor and that beautiful warm welcoming smile. Rest calmly and peacefully and "don't worry, it will aaaaaall get done".
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a pancreatic cancer medical research organization of your choice in memory of Melvin Enge.