by Jeff Colbourne
Northern News Services

NNSL (Nov 05/97) - Royal Canadian Legion Branch 164 bid farewell to a long-time commanding officer recently.

Max Melnyk, who's been living in Norman Wells for the last couple of years, made his last appearance at the Yellowknife branch before heading south to Alberta last week.

Melnyk recently underwent surgery to treat cancer and must be near a medical facility in the South.

"Max was a leader. He had a tendency to do things himself instead of relying on other people. He was a doer," said Merlyn Williams, a close friend of Melnyk since 1983.

Melnyk, who served in the Royal Canadian Navy, moved to Inuvik in the early 1980s.

There he was recognized for his community work and was instrumental in bringing about a new arena in the community after the old arena burned down.

In the early 1980s Melnyk moved to Norman Wells and became an administrator for the GNWT.

He was also the founder of the Royal Canadian Legion branch for Norman Wells and served as president for several terms.

Williams said he remembers in 1989, two days before Remembrance Day, a call from Melnyk in Norman Wells informing him that the legion had burned to the ground.

"The legions within the district came to support and to provide them with poppies, wreaths for the Remembrance Day service," said Williams.

One of Melnyk's greatest achievements was getting the funds to rebuild the legion, which was paid off in May.

Richard MacDonald, president of the Vincent Massey Branch, also remembers Melnyk's tenacity and hard work.

"Max has always been a strong supporter of the principles and objectives of the legion," said MacDonald, president of the Yellowknife branch.

"He's really one of the reasons why the legion in the NWT is so strong," he added.

Melnyk will serve his term as district commander until April of next year. At that time, legion members will rally to find another commanding officer.