A tribute to my friend, Len Mellet (09/04/58 - 14/07/17)

This is a celebration of Len’s amazing life - even though we are all grieving his passing. Len loved a good time and would be happy to see us all having a laugh with him today!

I can just imagine Len asking me if I wanted a “Black Jack” or a “Captain” and then turning up the volume to Jim Morrison and The Doors as he “Breaks on Through (to the Other Side)…

“We chased our pleasure here

Dug our treasures there

But can you still recall

The time we cried

Break on through to the other side…”

Len and I go back about 48 years or so. We connected in a way that is hard to describe - a cross between friendship and brotherhood. We were true friends no matter what was going on in our lives, or where we were in the world.

Our paths first crossed in Standard 4/5 when he was about 11. Since then, our paths have been inextricably linked across school, university, careers and countries. Len and I would travel our path through life together as special friends – whether at school, Wits University, working together at OMC Engineering, travelling the world or just on the phone. We had a number of common interests that glued our lives together – bikes, cars and music were a key part of it all.

How I remember him and his Yamaha bikes, Ford Escorts, Alfa’s and many other exciting cars. I also remember how he'd be completely absorbed by Rudi’s skilled rendition of “Ain’t no Sunshine” at the Roxy and equally taken with Jim Morrison and The Doors on CD, or attending small gigs watching the Asylum Kids with George or throwing some weird shapes at Q’s Supper Club with Dean. Oh, and of course he liked a good time with his friends! Len had so many - school mates, army mates, work mates, life mates and of course his soul mate and angel, Desire.

As young teens at De la Salle College, Victory Park, some of us called him “Magic Hairy Legs” – soon this just became “Magic” as that reflected his personality more accurately. Len had it all. He had the 4C’s – he was caring, clever, cool and composed and had a wry sense of humour. No wonder we all loved him!

Len was my multifaceted friend, a bit like a Rubik's Cube. Complex, colourful, structured, difficult and hugely rewarding. We had amazing times together, but of course we had tough times too! We laughed together, cried together and achieved together. Importantly, Len was not at all selfish and shared his successes with family and friends.

What was it about Len that made him so magical to me (and you here today)? I’m sure we can each identify a few things about him that apply. In my case, Len always had the time, interest, empathy and integrity to provide me with a friendship like no other. He was funny, sincere, caring, direct and called it as he saw it.

My closing message to Len:

My special friend, I just want to tell you that you are an amazing person! A friend like no other to me. We have had such a good life journey together - no matter how near or how far we we've been from each other, we have always had an incredible bond. I have always known that you've had my back no matter what. We have rich stories to tell. What a life we've lived! How blessed we are.

I know that you know this. Know that you have made an impact. Thank you for your friendship and your love, for supporting me at all times, for being there when I needed you. You are my brother, my friend.

So “Magic” Lenny, fly gracefully. Rest in Peace.

My sincerest condolences to Desire, Len’s family and friends.