Downtown lost a prominent business leader last week.

Former Co-operators insurance agency owner Mel Friel died Tuesday, Jan. 6, at the age of 87.

Mel lived and worked in the downtown for decades, taking over the agency from Jim Allanach in the 1970s. The agency is still owned and operated by Mel's son Merlin.

Mel purchased the former Fort Saskatchewan town hall building in the 1980s, renovating it and turning the upper floor into a home. He and his wife Grace lived there for many years.

That building also housed a number of other businesses, including the original Subway restaurant, which was a popular hangout for the downtown business community for a time.

Born in Edmonton and raised near Ardrossan, Mel is survived by his partner Gail Kivol, son Merlin (Fran), and grandchildren Casey (Michael), Brandon (Christie), Justin (Kaira), and great-grandchildren Crew, Cooper and Knox.