Obituary of David Howard Melnick

To our Samaritan Foundation community,

On behalf of the Board of Directors of The Samaritan Foundation in Canada and all its staff, it is with great sadness that we share with you that Dave Melnick, passed away on April 29th.  

As Field Director and President, Dave served our foundation and the people of the Dominican Republic faithfully for the past seven years.  We honor him today for his service and his significant contribuition toward the legacy of this great work.  He will be dearly missed by all.  We ask you to pray for his wife Jean and their entire family at this time.

The following notice from his family includes details of a Celebration of Dave's life. 

Dear friends of The Samaritan Foundation Ministry and the Melnick family, our faithful President of The Samaritan Foundation, Dave Melnick, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. Dave was first and foremost a man of faith, who intentionally lived out the calling of God on his life. He began his service with The Samaritan Foundation in the Dominican Republic in 2016 (becoming President in 2018) alongside his wife Jean Melnick. Together they served the practical and spiritual needs of the Dominican people and were determined to be the hands of feet of Jesus wherever they went. Dave oversaw the planning and construction of Grace Pediatric Medical Center, as well as approximately 500 homes and school expansions. The work he did will have a lasting impact and legacy. 

Dave was dearly loved by the staff of The Samaritan Foundation. His intentionality to make the most of each day was well known among all who worked alongside him. He was known to say to his staff, “Let’s Rock and Roll" when it was time to get going. Today, we trust that Dave is rejoicing in heaven. In the words of one of his Dominican staff who was impacted by Dave’s life “you are always to rock and roll Dave, even if it is in heaven.”

Celebration of life will be held on Thursday May 4th at Lakemount Worship Centre at 11am in Grimsby, Ontario.

The Celebration of life will be livestreamed, to view the service please click HERE.

The family wish for any donations to go towards what Dave loved the most - helping people. Please direct any donations to The Samaritan Foundation in honour of Dave, directed to Grace Paediatric Hospital or the first house in the new village (not named yet). 

Isaiah 40:31 NIV

“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”