William Melvin Pugh, age 70, of Canton, went to his Heavenly Home Wednesday October 5, 2016 after a heroic yearlong battle with colon and liver cancer.

He is survived by his wife Susanna (Furbay) of Canton; brother-in-law Tim Furbay (Jean); 2 nieces Alexandra and Morgan Furbay and nephew Tyler Furbay; brother Gene Neal (Janet) of Vicksburg, MS; as well as a son Terry Burrow and 3 grandchildren of Pulaski, MS. He was preceded in death by his son Sean; mother and step-father Willie Mae and James Neal; and his father Albert Pugh.

Melvin was an active member of the NE Ohio Forestry Association and was the 2008 Tree Farmer of the Year along with his wife Susanna. Together they operated a 30 acre hardwood tree farm, Emerson Park Tree Farm in Lake Township.

Born in Vicksburg, MS in 1946, Melvin served in the US Army in Vietnam and afterwards worked in the savings and loan business in Vicksburg and later in Canton, OH. He also worked as a carpenter in Canton and Sarasota, FL. He will be remembered for his kind and helpful spirit, his love of the woods, his service to the Lord Jesus, and his courageous heart. Memorial gifts may be sent to High Mill Church of the Resurrection in Canton.

A word to the wise, DO NOT put off having a colonoscopy by age 50. A few days of discomfort is worth not having months or years of pain and agony.

An Irish wake will be celebrated with a short service sometime in October at Emerson Park Tree Farm.

Arnold 330-456-7291

www.arnoldfuneralhome.com