Melvin R Ginsberg

Melvin practiced law for 50 years, opening the first Suburban Legal Clinic in his community, mainly focusing on family law and bankruptcy. Prior to being an attorney, he was a middle school social studies teacher. Known for his stubbornness in a discussion, he loved to debate and would argue to the end even if he was completely wrong.

Mel was very dedicated to Congregations Beth Am and later B’nai Jeshurun. He was proud to serve the Jewish cemeteries of Cleveland on various boards for decades.

Mel was a huge Cleveland sports fan, especially the Guardians baseball club. He also loved trains. What started as a childhood hobby continued into adulthood. The allure of the search for new Lionel buildings and train cars for his model city was second only to the true joy he found when he became Grandpa Mel and could be the engineer amusing Cayden, Emma, Max and Simon, his grandchildren, who were always excited to spend time with him in the special train room.

He will be dearly missed by his wife and best friend, Diane (nee Simon) of almost 55 years and his children, Denise and Mark Greenblatt and Jeremy Ginsberg. He is survived by nieces, nephews, many cousins whom he was very close with and in-laws David and Cheryl Simon. Mel was predeceased by his parents, brother Jerome Blank, and grandson Jonah Greenblatt.

Mel passed away peacefully surrounded by love on Sunday, March 1, 2026.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday, March 3rd at 11am at the Berkowitz Kumin Bookatz Memorial Chapel, 1985 S. Taylor Road, Cleveland Heights. Interment will follow at Bet Olam Cemetery, 25796 Chagrin Blvd., in Beachwood. To view this service, please scroll down to the Services section, and click on “JOIN LIVESTREAM”.

The family will be sitting shiva at the Ginsberg home on Tuesday from 1:30pm until 4pm, and from 7pm until 9pm. On Wednesday and Thursday, from 2pm until 5pm and 7pm until 9pm and Friday from 12pm until 2pm. A minyan service will be held at 7:15pm each night.

Donations may be made in Melvin’s memory to the Friendship Circle of Greater Cleveland, or B’nai Jeshurun Congregation.

Arrangements were made under the supervision of Berkowitz Kumin Bookatz Memorial Chapel.