It’s with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Melvyn (Mel) Gilmour on Saturday night.
Although a high school teacher for a large part of his adult life, Mel along with his brother Kym and then later his son Rohan grew pears and apples on his Paracombe property. Over 20 years ago the decision was made to grow and market pears exclusively.
Before attending his job at school, he would get up every morning to sell the pears at the SA Produce Markets at Pooraka. This continued after his retirement from teaching and only stopped 13 years ago due to bad health, which is when Rohan took over. It allowed him to concentrate on making improvements to the orchard and running the packing shed.
Although attaining the age of 79, Mel continued to work full time and never thought about retirement from the orchard. He was able to welcome another generation when his grandsons started to work in the packing shed after school.
His health had been in decline for a couple of years, and as the harvest got underway this season, it became apparent that his time on the orchard would be coming to an end.
He was a much loved patriarch of the Gilmour family and leaves a huge hole that will never be filled.
Rohan and Sharon Gilmour
Gilmours Orchards
