To the editor,
I lost a good friend and fellow NDP member this month.
Mel Schmidt was a fine human being and crusader for social justice. Mel’s socialist roots go back to Tommy Douglas and the CCF. Born in Barriere, 87 years ago, he lived a good life, making the people around him better for having known him.
People living in Kershaw subdivision drive on Schmidt Road, named after his family who were part of the developers of the place you call home. I met Mel on a number of occasions over the years, but mostly to do with putting up NDP signs in federal and provincial elections.
On one such occasion, we were putting up a sign in Blue River and I left my hatchet on the site. I recovered the same hatchet four years later on the same site, right where I had left it.
Not two weeks before his passing, Mel was helping Gary Worth put up campaign signs just north of Kamloops. I will miss his inspiring presence and Vickie’s and my condolences have been expressed to his dear wife, Thelma.
Mel’s spirit will always be with us as we continue to strive for a fairer, more compassionate society for all people.
Vickie and Wes Morden,
Blackpool, B.C.
newsroom@clearwatertimes.com
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