True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vet of the Month: July 2013
Reg.#15427, Corps Sergeant Major 'Mel Gilbey
RCMP Vets. Ottawa, ON
He was known Force wide as 'The Voice'. And in recent weeks, the RCMP lost a great friend in the death of CSM 'Mel' Gilbey.
He was an exceptional person, honest and forthright and I was privileged to have met him many, many years ago.
I recall that the CSM was the Guest Speaker at the first Canadian Police College Regimental Dinner in May 1975. As the Guest of Honour, his wit was sharp and his recall of his long career in the role as CSM was fascinating and filled with details of Mounted Police personalities long ago deceased.
On this 1975 Inaugural Dinner occasion, 'Mel' was in relaxed form because he was surrounded by friends with whom he had known as colleagues for many years. He was proud to have been asked to be Guest Speaker and he knew that his audience was attentive. Most everyone had been on his Parade Square over the years. No one would dispute that 'the Voice' could be heard from Rockcliffe's 'N' Division to the International Airport in south Ottawa. 'The Voice' could easily be distinguished over the roar of twin outbound Concords.
Even tho' retired, Mel created an crisp air of Corps Sergeant Major authority and I was impressed with his articulate speech and points of Force history. His knowledge of the Force was immeasurable in extent as well as being true and refined.
As the years passed by, I got to know Mel better because of our common interest in Force history. I had several occasions to visit his Ottawa home and to share stories and to look at photographs. One particular trait about Mel Gilbey stands out in my mind -- he was very, very appreciative of the opportunity to serve in the Force.
Mel was also from New Brunswick so that made him very special to me. But, I sincerely got the impression that he had not asked for anything during his career but that he had received more than he ever imagined -- a good family, a satisfying work environment, wonderful RCMP friends and enough memories of the Force to fill his colourful and well appointed family room. He was very indebted for a memorable life.
There's little doubt that Mel enjoyed golf more than anyone who has ever swung a club. He was a common fixture at Hylands in Ottawa. Most often one could hear his voice across the fairways whether he was joshing someone or whether he had a good stoke of luck.
"Golf," Mel once professed, "was hit and miss." In his mind, it wasn't the golf at all. It was his friendships; the 19th hole, the quips and the laughter. Inside his heart, he carried a memorized catalogue of excuses -- it was the wind, the sky, the sun, a sore leg, soft knees. More laughter. He was the CSM. Everyone loved him. He was a pure friend.
Mel had a couple very extra close, true Ottawa friends; Vet Ron Sparks and Vet Dan Carroll. He once told me that Ron and Dan kept near daily tabs on him and that the trio had a friendship that went back to the mid 1950's. Long time friends like Ron and Dan cannot be replaced. I agreed. Mel always and easily expressed his gratitude for whatever he received in life.
I went to visit Mel in his Retirement Home a few weeks ago. I went quietly into his room. It was the last time that I saw him before he passed away. He was sleeping in his chair and his nurse asked that I not wake him due to an uneasy previous night.
Perhaps it was appropriate that he passed away while I was in our home province of New Brunswick. I will miss him.
The RCMP and RCMP Vets provided Mel with a Memorial Service befitting the CSM. He deserved it. He would have smiled, and he would have said it was too much fuss for a boy from New Brunswick.
CSM's are hard to forget. They never die in our memory. They simply fade away.
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy,
July 23, 2013
CSM 'Mel' Gilbey's obituary appear in the The Ottawa Citizen on August 12, 2013. p.C10
