Posted on May 30, 2017
It is with regret that we announce the death of Past District 5040 Governor 1985-1986, Mel Spowart. 
 
 
PDG M. A. (Mel) Spowart District Governor (504) 1985-1986
 
Melville Albert Spowart May 17, 1932 - May 22, 2017. It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden, but peaceful passing of Melville Albert Spowart on Monday May 22, 2017. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years Joy, daughter Karen (Jim) and sons Craig (Sandy) and Jeff (Kathy), seven grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, his sister Dorothy and her family. As per Mel's wishes there will be no service.
 
PDG Mel was born and raised in Golden B.C. where his father worked for the Canadian Pacific Railroad.  Mel received a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1954. He was admitted to the Order of Chartered Accountants of Quebec in 1957 and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia in 1959.
 
Mel moved to Vancouver and eventually joined the firm of Chadwick, Potts and Co. where he became a partner in 1959. He continued with them after they merged into Touche, Ross and Co. in 1971.
 
Mel met his wife Joy in the Burnaby area after he arrived in Vancouver and together they raised two sons and a daughter.
 
Rotary life began with his membership in the Burnaby-Kingsway Club in 1966. He became Club President in 1971-72 and then served District 504 as district treasurer, secretary, member of Finance Committee, Governor's Group Representative from 1982 to 1984 and as District Governor in 1985-86.  During Mel's year as District Governor he restructured District 504 (now 5040) which had grown too large to be effective. He presided over the very difficult effort which culminated in Rotary International’s approval of the separation into two districts (District 5040 and a new District 5050).
 
Mel has remained active as a member of the Rotary Club of Burnaby and in many other community organizations.