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Celebration of life for Mel Couvelier

A celebration of life for long-time Peninsula resident Mel Couvelier is planned for June 17. 

Couvelier died May 31 after battling an illness since a January diagnosis, which he and his family kept private. 

Couvelier, a Peninsula resident for more than 20 years, ran for mayor of Sidney in 2008. He served as mayor of Saanich from 1977 through 1986, when he was elected MLA and appointed Minister of Finance by then premier, Bill Vander Zalm. Before being elected mayor, he served on Saanich Council in 1974 and 1975.  He was also the president of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.

Couvelier was also a tireless volunteer board member of the Sidney and North Saanich Memorial Park Society, and the Sancha Community Cultural Centre Foundation. A celebration of life is planned at the Mary Winspear Centre at 1 p.m. on June 17.