Funeral service for Mel Northway, 81, will be Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 11:30 AM at New Canaan Baptist Church with Bro. Robert Cruise officiating. Visitation will be Saturday, November 23, 2024 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at New Canaan Baptist Church.
Mr. Northway passed away on Monday, November 11, 2024 at his residence. He was born March 9, 1943, in Minnesota, to Milton Oliver Northway and Doris Lois Green Northway.
We gather here today to honor and celebrate the life of Melvin Leroy Northway, Mel, Coach Mel, G-Mel, Cinnamel, dad, and mainly Grandpa. A man whose legacy will forever be etched in our hearts and memories.
Dad, known to many simply as the sweet big guy, grandad, or Coach down here in the South was a beloved staring figure in Minnesota Gophers and Pro European Basketball League lore then as Neenah Joint School District’s Athletic Director and Vice Principal at the High School up North. He was a beacon of strength, kindness, and dedication to both his family and the communities he served at the different stages of his life. Believe it or not, but dad’s humility lead to my not knowing all of his basketball prowess till I was in either 4th or 5th grade when I opened one of the massive binders in our mini library to find out he was a high school, college, and European star basketball player right there in black and white print, with pictures! True story!
Born and raised in Minnesota, Dad’s early years were marked by his exceptional talent and passion for sports and the outdoors. Coming out of Patrick Henry High School in Minneapolis he was a home town boy, all State or State Champs in nearly everything he played! His time with the Minnesota Gophers Basketball team was not just about the games he played in the Big 10, the records he broke there (he’s still on several top 5 lists), but the leadership spirit and camaraderie he brought to the team as captain. His athletic prowess was matched only by his unwavering commitment to his teammates and the sport he loved. It was In Minnesota after college as a coach at Blaine High School where he heard the gospel from a Fellowship of Christian Athlete’s representative who asked to talk with one of his teams! He was carefully listening too! He trusted Christ and was discipled as a teacher and coach, mom and he got involved in a church, then mom followed in her faith in Christ shortly thereafter. As Dad followed Jesus, she followed him there too! Yes, Sport even lead him to real meaning in Christ, both remained in his Heart to the end. As a matter of fact he was very recently talking with us about going to be with Jesus soon, then turned on a “great” big 10 volleyball match happening now, knowing all of the details of course!
Dad’s journey continued as Athletic Director of the Neenah Joint School District in Wisconsin, where he once again became a local legend. His contributions to the school’s athletic programs were immense, as he inspired countless Coaches, young athletes, and teachers to pursue their dreams with the same fervor and determination that he embodied his whole life. The Mel Northway Award, given annually to outstanding student-athletes in Neenah, stands as a testament to his enduring impact on the community1. Pretty sure they broke Dads NJSD position down into three full time jobs when he retired! Regardless he will remain etched in the Wisconsin Athletic Director’s Hall of Fame record book as a testament to his career at Neenah.
Beyond his athletic and sport related career achievements, dad was a devoted family man. He cherished his family deeply and was a pillar of support and love, especially for his Grandchildren if we are being honest here. He loved to hunt, fish, and camp as Tim and I were growing up, we saw America from the van and tent windows!
His wisdom, humor, and gentle nature, with Grandchildren, made him a cherished father, grandfather, and friend. He taught them the values of hard work, integrity, the power of a little bit of OCD, a lot actually, how to swim, and the Mikan drill as well as how to run an effective pick and roll! He did this not just through his words, but through his actions, he was more about action than words we all know very well!
Dad’s life was a tapestry of remarkable moments of great accomplishment in sport and career and then quiet, profound acts of kindness. He genuinely loved to support and hear about the work of several ministries including prison fellowship, Samaritan’s purse, and Luca and Hanna in Brazil. He also had a unique ability to make everyone feel valued and appreciated. Remember with me now, he always asked you questions about you first, didn’t he?
Whether he was asking you questions and listening to you or was rarely sharing interesting stories of his glory days or offering a helping hand, dad’s presence was a source of comfort and joy to all who knew him.
As we say our final goodbyes, let us remember Dad, Grandad, Coach Mel not with sorrow, but with gratitude for the incredible life he lived, his love of sport and outdoors, but more so from his own wishes that we remember his genuine faith in Christ. Though he may no longer be with us in body, his spirit will forever remain in our hearts and in Jesus’ hands today!
He leaves behind his Wife, Donna Northway, two sons; Tim and wife, Dawn, Jim and his wife, Pam, a step-daughter; Anne Chumbler, two brothers; Richard and his wife, Mary Beth, and Bill and his wife, Ann. He also is survived by his four grandchildren: Nicole Northway (Branden Dupont), Cody Northway (Taylor), Riley Bishop (Dylan) and McCarley Northway.
Preceding him in death were; his parents; Mic and Doris Northway, a brother; Richard Northway, a nephew; Mike Northway, a niece Michelle Muckway and a step son-in-law: Bill Chumbler.
Rest in peace, Melvin Leroy Northway, dad, grandad. You will be dearly missed.
In lieu of flowers, family asks that memorial donations be made to Camden High School Foundation Scholarship Fund (Class of 1961- formerly Patrick Henry High School) @ 4320 Newton Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55412.
Peck Funeral Home assisted the family.
