MELVIN HUGH MCCAUGHERTY, son of Gertrude Glori (nee Sandham) and William Hugh McCaugherty, passed away August 4 in St. Michael’s Palliative Care Unit.
Mel was born in the Galt Hospital on December 14, 1930, and in 1940 moved with his parents and brother Wesley to live on the D-O Ranch west of Lethbridge, where his grandfather Tom McCaugherty settled in the 1880’s. He attended the University of Alberta in Calgary in 1949 where he met Betty Adeline Domoney and they eloped in 1954. His first teaching post was in Warner. He also taught briefly in Ponoka and Lethbridge, after which he and Betty undertook summer courses in Edmonton to complete their BEd degrees. In 1956, Mel and Betty purchased the ranch, where he lived until 2008. In 1959, Mel began teaching at Coalhurst. He later become principal at McNally School and then in 1972 moved to RI Baker in Coaldale, where he taught until he retired in 1987.
Mel was proud to farm and raise his family in The Bend. His interests included politics and world affairs, sports and poetry. He was admired for his phenomenal memory and breadth of knowledge. He and Betty enjoyed traveling and meeting people, and he has friends around the world. He supported and assisted his daughters in their various interests. After retiring from teaching, he continued working on the farm and particularly enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, always proud of their achievements. Mel always expected the best of himself and others, and made every effort to help his family, students and friends accomplish their goals.
He is survived by daughters Dawn, Kristi (Glenn VanBuuren) and Carla, and grandchildren Jesse and Kala VanBuuren. He was pre-deceased by his beloved wife Betty (nee Domoney), brother Wesley and parents Hugh and Glori McCaugherty.
A Celebration of Mel’s Life will be held at the LOWER LEVEL OF THE KEG, 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, AB, on Tuesday, August 10th, at 1:00 P.M. Everyone is invited to share stories and a light lunch will be served.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial tribute may be made to the STARS Foundation, 416 10 Street North Lethbridge, AB, T1H 2C7.
Honoured to serve the family, CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 7B1. Telephone (403) 381-7777. E-mail: care@cornerstonefh.ca
