Melvin “Mel” Zajac, Sr., a member of the BC Swimming Hall of Fame and longtime philanthropist, died on May 28th, 2026. He was 98.
Zajac’s death came just two days before the annual Zajac Nights fundraiser, which drew in about 400 people this year at the Terminal City Club in Vancouver. The event raises money for the Zajac Ranch for Children, where hundreds of children with medical disabilities attend summer camp at the property along the edge of Lake Stave.
While never a swimmer himself, Zajac dedicated much of his philanthropic efforts to supporting the sport and youths growing up in Canada. He was inducted into the BC Swimming Hall of Fame in 2019 as a Builder, a category which honors community members who have significantly contributed to the growth and popularity of swimming.
Zajac had two sons and three daughters with his first wife, Irene, and it was his children who brought Zajac into the world of swimming. His son Mel Jr. represented Canada at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, where he competed in the men’s 100 breaststroke.
Mel Jr. died in a kayaking accident in 1986 at 30 years old. Just eight months later, his brother Marty died in an avalanche in Cariboo.
In honor of his sons, Zajac created the Mel Jr. and Marty Zajac Foundation in 1987. The organization helped bring the Zajac Ranch for Children to life in 2004 and helped create opportunities in swimming for countless athletes and families in British Columbia by bringing world-class competitions to Vancouver.
The annual Mel Zajac Jr. International Swim Meet recently wrapped up at the UBC Aquatic Center, an event sponsored by Zajac which sees swimmers from around the world come to compete.
President of Swim BC Jeannie Lo commented on the impact Zajac made through his work and philanthropy in British Columbia.
“Swim BC is deeply saddened by the loss of Mel Zajac, Sr.,” Lo said. “We are grateful for the tremendous contribution of the Zajac family to swimming, both Mel Jr. and his accomplishments in the pool, and the legacy established by Mel Sr. and family in the creation of the Mel Zajac Jr. International Swim Meet, which goes from strength to strength each year. We are proud to honor Mel Zajac, Sr. and strive to carry on his legacy.”
Sepideh Tazzman, the Executive Director of the Mel Jr. and Marty Zajac Foundation, also reflected on Zajac’s legacy in the foundation’s announcement of his death.
“Mel’s impact is immeasurable,” she said. “He built more than organizations and spaces — he built a legacy of care, dignity, inclusion, and hope. His vision will continue to live on through every camper, every family, and every community member touched by the work he helped create.”
Born in 1928 in Winnipeg to parents who immigrated from Ukraine, Zajac grew up speaking Ukrainian and only learned English in school. After his father died when Zajac was six, he grew up with little money or opportunity to participate in things like sports or summer camps as the family struggled through the Great Depression, which helped plant the seeds for his later philanthropy.
Zajac moved to Vancouver in 1949 and kicked off a successful career in construction, starting off building houses before switching over to work on apartment buildings. After his eventual retirement, the later decades of his life were dedicated to his philanthropic projects.
Zajac’s contributions to Canadian society were recognized beyond just the swimming communities. He was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 2007 and a Member of the Order of British Columbia in 2015.
Zajac is survived by his second wife, Wendy, his daughters, Karen, Carmen and Corinne, and two grandchildren.
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