Margaree Forks
It is with deep sorrow and boundless love that we announce the passing of Michael Melski of Nova Scotia. A son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, Michael’s life was rich with creativity, compassion, and a fierce love for the people and places that shaped him.
Born and raised in Cape Breton, Michael’s heart was always anchored in Margaree. Its river, hills, and skies were more than scenery—they were part of his soul. He returned there often, seeking peace, clarity, and inspiration.
Michael attended King’s College, where he developed his talents as a writer and formed lifelong friendships. A gifted storyteller, his work on stage and screen reflected his sharp wit and deep humanity. He was known not only for his art, but for his loyalty, generosity, and irreverent humour.
His plays—including Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad, The Fly Fisher’s Companion, and Miles from Home—toured internationally and touched audiences with their honesty and heart. His films, such as Growing Op, Charlie Zone, and The Child Remains, showcased his range and cinematic eye. Michael also worked in television and directed acclaimed documentaries, including Perfume War and Rare Bird Alert. He was a graduate of the Canadian Film Centre and an artist-in-residence at several respected theatres.
Michael was a lifelong fly-fisherman, golfer, trivia buff, late-blooming guitarist, and passionate Leafs fan. He restored his family’s Margaree cabin with his own hands, naming it Metanoia—a sanctuary of memory, laughter, and love.
Michael is survived by his devoted siblings, Sandra (Tony) Long, Anne Marie (Scott) Kerr, and Chris (Karen) Melski; beloved nieces and nephews, Hannah, Kaia, Kinley, and Tony; and extended family and friends who became like family. He was predeceased by his parents, Mary (Dezagiacomo) and Bernie Melski, and his grandparents.
A special mention goes to Maggie, a loyal four-legged companion.
Michael, thank you for the stories, the humour, the love. May you rest where the river runs clear, and the winds of Margaree sing you to sleep.
There will be no visitation for the late Michael Melski. A private family memorial service will take place.
Donations in memory of Michael may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Online Condolences
Sincere condolences on this huge loss to your family. I knew Mike from school and we reconnected a couple of times since. He was humble and funny and smart. He is a loss to you and his friends and society as well as he was truly one of the good guys. I was so sorry to hear of his passing.
From: Judy MacDonald
My deepest condolences to the family and extended family of Michael and hugs to Maggie; Be assured of my prayers for all of you. Rest in Peace, Michael. Job well done.
Michael was a generous writing teacher and mentor. I am grateful for his kindness and support; he not only made me a stronger writer, he also showed me how to be a better teacher by thinking about how storytelling works. I often tell my students what I learned from him. I am so grateful for his wisdom, attention, and the generous use of his time, and terribly sad to hear of his passing.
To his family, I am so very sorry for your loss. He is missed.
I wish to give the sincere condolences for my family the Whites to Michael’s family. He was a true believer in the film industry and it was proud to work with him on my future film Charles Zone, he knew how to bring out the best in the cast and I am proud of him And his legacy loved and missed Hank and Emmie White
My sincere condolences to all Mike’s families. Mike was a gentle man with a beautiful smile.
I am saddened to hear of Michael’s passing, my deepest condolences to Sandra, Anne Marie and Chris and rest of the Melski and Dezagiacomo families. May he Rest In Eternal Peace.
Michael and I passed many the hour on a bar stool at the Shoe Shop and many the hour just chatting on the phone or online. He was funny, smart, kind, sweet, generous, talented and an all around wonderful human. I want to pick up the phone right now and call him. Damn. I am going to miss our talks. Sending love to all of you who are going to want to share a glass or pick up the phone and call him for years to come.
Rest in peace
My condolences to Michael’s family. I first met Michael in 1997. He was a talent to watch then and continued to flourish in script, stage and screen. A remarkable talent.
Michael was exactly how I imagined East Coast talent; authentic, kind, funny, generous, maybe a bit gritty with an infectious smile? He always reached for excellence, was keen to listen and adapt – to grow and create. Very respected among his peers.
I enjoyed each and every moment with him, whether it was over a beer, gasping at his monster drives, or discussing one of his many projects. I will miss him as will many many others.
Michael, you were not just a mentor, but a good friend. I truly enjoyed our times together working on screenplays and bantering about the Leafs after our sessions and talking about the amazing golf shots we both made, but never got to see each other’s shots. You had an amazing sense of humor and more importantly you believed in my work and always gave me positive notes of encouragement. I will miss our times working together but I will continue to write from the inspiration you have given me over the years. To the Melski family, I am truly sorry for your loss. Mike was a wonderful, kind, and caring soul with a lovely sense of humor. I will miss my good friend.
When I moved to HFX to work in the film industry, Michael Melski was among the first people I met. We worked on a script together and spent many hours at the Victory Arms & Shoe Shop talking about our projects & the industry & everything in between. Mike was such a gifted filmmaker and playwright, collaborator, and mentor to many emerging film types throughout the years. He gave so much. My sincere condolences to his family and the NS film and theatre community. Melski, thank you for being a supportive friend. Cannot believe you are gone. Rest easy, my friend.
May you rest in Peace Michael. To hi siblings and extended family my deepest sympathy. Michael’s love was not only in writing but for his family. He was a true family member not for show but for his love for you all a love as deep as the River in Margaree for Michael kept going back to the place that brought him his greatest love, peace and happiness. Now Michael is at rest with his Mom and Dad where he will continue to reach out to guide and direct his siblings and friends. Now the curtain has lowered Michael and you can take rest in knowing you completed your final show one that will live on for many, many a years. Cheers to a life lived well with purpose, creativity and passion,
Sincere sympathy to the Melski and Dezagiacomo families. Lots of wonderful memories of all the gatherings and watching all the kids get acquainted. Michael was surrounded by love and laughter.
I just saw this pop up on Facebook 🙁 what a beautiful human. He always was smiling when I worked with him… such a good dude… I’m in shock! Sending condolences to his family and friends ❤️ such a beautiful spirit-
I loved working with Mike. Will miss him.
Michael cast me in the lead role in Growing Op. In this business you need that one person to initially believe in you and give you a shot. That’s what Michael did for me. I’m forever grateful. He guided me and we formed such a powerful bond while filming. His accomplishments on stage and film were so evident but he was an even better person. We met up while I was in Halifax a number of years ago. We talked shop, but above all else, he wanted to just make sure everything was going well for me. You always felt such warmth being around him. Condolences to his many friends and family. Thanks for it all, Melski.
I am heartbroken to hear this, the saddest of news. My deepest and heartfelt condolences are extended to his family and closest friends. Michael leaves a legacy of work and a plethora of memories for all who knew him.
Mike…I will miss you.
I love you. ❤️
The lightbulb still glows.
From ‘The Pit’ to the Stars.
Thank you.
Very sorry for your loss. Such a great talent. My condolences to Mike’s family .
Knew Michael from a small child as he grew up in the neighbourhood and went to school with my daughter. He was always smiling and up to something. You could not help but like him. Have followed his career – he was so creative and deserved all the accolades (and more) that he received. The world has lost a bright star but he will shine on!
Carol Miller and Pamela
I am so very sad to hear of Michael’s passing. I had the good fortune to work with him on my very last documentary project as a producer, “Rare Bird Alert”. He was a creative soul, and consummate professional. We went from being work colleagues to good friends, and we eventually shared our love of music, as he learned to play guitar and harmonica. The last time I saw him was at the Shoe Shop, where we’d performed at an open mic. My heartfelt condolences to Michael’s siblings and extended family. We lost him way too soon.
Rest well old friend…may the eddies of the Margaree, and the changing vistas of the valley forever keep you here.
My sincere condolences to all Michael’s family and friends. This is a huge loss. Michael was a kind and giving soul with a talent for story telling. I had the honour and privlidge to be Michael’s 1st AD on a couple of his films. RIP pal, you will be greatly missed. You left a mark on many and now a hole in many hearts.
Melski, as so many folks simply called him, was a gifted storyteller and collaborator. He kindly asked for my input on rough cuts of his films, and mentored me when I was part of a screenwriting workshop at the Atlantic International Film Festival. He was always welcoming and friendly, always with a roguish twinkle in his eye. I’ll miss him.
Sad beyond words, though he probably could have found them. Condolonces to his family. What a thoughtful human. We crossed paths when he was young and finding his way but already fiercely utterly dedicated to the art that would be his shining life.
Michael was such a wonderful human being. I worked with him on so many of his Telefilm projects over the years and always appreciated his way. He was talented – especially in his way of finding great characters and stories in simple (local!) places. He knew how to listen carefully and collaborate well. And we often talked outside his projects and applications. He cared deeply about our cultural community here and was very generous and shared his time and knowledge wuth so many emerging talents over the years. I am so sad. He died too young. I will miss our talks. My deepest condolences to his family and all his friends.
Mr.Melski such a pleasure to know you. Thank you for always making time to chat on camera, on the airwaves, on set – forever grateful for your consideration, your creativity and your support. Oh and your singing. Rest in peace Michael Melski you are dearly missed.
What a wonderful human being was Melski. I enjoyed all the times I spent with him. A few years ago, one sunny afternoon, I was lucky enough to spend a few hours with him as he tried to tempt the salmon with dry-flies on the surface of the Margaree River. I still have the video we shot that day. He talked about the intrinsic value of story-telling and the extraordinary beauty of Cape Breton as he fished, What a precious memory that is for me, especially now. Godspeed, Mike. My sincere condolences to the family.