Mel Boutilier, the man who founded the Parker Street Food and Furniture Bank and other charitable organizations in Halifax, has died.
A statement from his family says Boutilier was diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer in January and complications related to the disease on Tues. April 28th.
“He was 92 years of age and died at home with his life-companion and partner in all things, Thelma Boutilier, by his side along with loved ones, family members, and friends.”
Mel was also a founder of the Metro Food Bank Society, which went on to become Feed Nova Scotia. He also started the Metro Care and Share Society in 2015 that assists students in attending university through a scholarship program.
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“His life has just been fuelled by compassion,” Robert Wright, Mel’s “chosen son,” told Global News. “Thelma always says he did not have the ability to pass someone who had a need, without trying to figure out an ability to meet that need.”
Wright said even when on one of his rare vacations down south, Mel was known to check out thrift stores whose sales supported charities, or do other fundraising-related work.
“He had more energy that he put toward helping people than people half his age,” added Lane Farguson, who sits on the Metro Care and Share Society’s board of directors.
In his lifetime, Mel was both a recipient of the Order of Nova Scotia, the Order of Canada and a humanitarian of the year award from the Red Cross. He held honourary certifications from both Saint Mary’s University and the Nova Scotia Community College.
“A giant has fallen,” reads the family’s statement.
The family says because of COVID-19 restrictions, plans have not yet been made to celebrate Mel’s life and achievements.
“For now we’d ask that you simply remember his many contributions to his community and that we all seek to be kinder to those around us, especially during the restrictions we all live with during this state of emergency.”
With files from Elizabeth McSheffrey