SHOP
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dan Mellon, on Sunday, October 22, 2023. Dan Mellon lost his 13 year battle to cancer and passed away suddenly at his home in Mission, BC. Dan was born May 20, 1945 to immigrant parents from Eastern Europe. He experienced very rough conditions growing up with family trying to make ends meet. He credits Judo to saving his life. As a young boy Dan went to the local Judo dojo to watch the activities going on in order to escape the hardships of home in Eastern Hamilton. Sensei Adolf Russo (a father figure to Dan) noticed this and took him in. With a borrowed judogi, young Dan started Judo in 1957 at the Hamilton Germania Club and practiced into the late 1960’s competing in many tournaments in Southern Ontario and Eastern US.
In the early 1970’s, Dan moved to BC with his young family and picked up Judo again at the PoCo Judo Club under Horst Palm and Dave Speight. Dan progressed well, competing in many tournaments and achieving great success earning his Shodan in 1981 and his Godan in 2009. Dan was very passionate about Judo and considered many of the people he closely associated with as family.
His passion for judo would lead Dan to visit many dojos and hold various positions in the judo community. Besides the PoCo Judo Club, Dan would also frequent the Burnaby, Steveston and Maple Ridge dojos. He would also travel to Japan and visit the Kodokan. Dan was a NCCP level 3 coach, National C referee, and also a long time representative, volunteer and coach for Zone 4 Judo at the BC Winter Games. Dan was also the 2nd Vice President at Judo BC.
Dan’s presence, contributions and passion for Judo will be missed. We wish the sincerest condolences to his family.
