Dave Mellin has called the Comox Valley home for the past 57 years and has a long history of work in the community to prove it.
In fact, as soon as you drive into the Valley on the Inland Island Highway, you are greeted by the ‘Welcome to the Comox Valley’ sign – a project which he worked on for 14 months with Comox Valley Economic Development.
Though his complete list of accomplishments would be too long for this bio, he has volunteered with many organizations such as Search and Rescue, the Mount Washington Ski Patrol and the Forbidden Plateau Reclamation Society.
From a young age, Dave had a passion for aviation, though his goal of joining the airforce were squashed early on.
“I got told on the morning of my 21st birthday I was too old to join the miltary to become a pilot,” he said with a laugh. But 49 years later, that hasn’t stopped him from getting involved with the aviation industry and even the military.
He has sat on a number of volunteer boards including the Courtenay Airpark Association, the Comox Valley Airport Commission and the Comox Air Force Museum. He even helped establish floatplane service between Comox and Vancouver, and was the lead on getting the Snowbird painted and installed on a pedestal at the Comox Valley Visitor Centre. He was also named an Honorary Colonel with the 407 Long Range Patrol Squadron with 19 Wing CFB Comox.
Habitat for Humanity is another organization where he dedicates his time and has been involved in three builds to date.
“To see the families that got a hand up to get started on their first home – that’s a pretty neat feeling to know that you had a small part to do with that,” he said.
However, the work that has had the largest impact on him was his 42 years as an RCMP Auxiliary.
He once saved a woman’s life using CPR during a dark period of her life.
“This lady went on and turned her life around and became an important part of our community,” he said.
And as for why he continues to volunteer, Dave just says he wants to give back to the place he calls home.
“The Comox Valley is a great place to live and I made a living here through my whole working career. I believe one should give back to their community.
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