……….
Posted Feb 2, 2026 | 5:32 PM
Thomas George Melbourne (Mel) Hodgins
Mel Hodgins peacefully entered into the presence of his Lord and Saviour on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at Belleville General Hospital, having recently celebrated his 98th birthday.
He is predeceased by his beloved wife of 68 years, Joyce, his parents, Winson and Florence Hodgins, and sister Hilda McGinn.
He is survived by his children, Randall (Susan) Hodgins and Berna (Clifford) Linnard; his grandchildren, Jeremy (Jo-Anne) Linnard, Bradley (Amanda) Linnard, Timothy (Marie-Eve) Linnard, Emily MacDonald, Sandra (Ryan) Hussin, Thomas (Kellie) Hodgins and twelve loving great-grandchildren who were his pride and joy. He is also survived by his brother Rae Hodgins and sister-in-law Shirley Campbell-Pearse.
Mel made his career in truck transportation, starting as a handyman repairing overhead doors on a freight dock to doing dock labour and working his way up to vice president of sales and traffic for a medium sized carrier. He was steadfast and determined. He was an innovator instrumental in the start-up of expedited freight services for two different carriers when such services were still quite novel. A man of integrity, he insisted that those he managed always maintained truth and integrity in their business dealings.
Mel was faithful to God and the church, volunteering in many capacities over the years; Christian Service Brigade leader, Elder, member of various committees, the Gideons of Canada.
His sense of humour, jokes, funny stories, puns and deliberate malapropisms were all a part of who he was among family and friends. He seemed to know how to strike the balance between seriousness and fun; a rare trait. He will be greatly missed.