Melvin Brass

Mel Brass, age 79, passed away very peacefully at his home late on Saturday, February 25, 2012 after a resolute fight against prostate cancer. He was predeceased by his sister, Laura; their parents, Oscar and Martha; and his son, Dr. Lawrence M. Brass.

Mel was husband of 56 years to Joyce Friedman Brass; also father to Jill Brass and Suzy Brass McInerney; grandfather to Bobby McInerney, Zach Brass, Danny McInerney, Schuyler Brass and Tommy McInerney; father in law to Lori Ann Brass; cousin to Stanley (and Bunny) Weiner, Sue (and Sid) Wolkin, Stephanie Wolkin and Jan Wolkin; brother to Steve (and Wheat) Press, Larry Press, Michael Press, Dan Press, Laura Press and Craig Press; stepson to Margaret Press, best friend to Dan (and Debbie) Jones, business partner and cherished friend to Rich (and Sue) Bloch and Dan (and Nicole) Bloch; friend, fellow model train enthusiast and chess collector to hundreds of people around the country and around the world

Mel was born July 25, 1932 in Brooklyn NY. He met Joyce in 1949 at Thomas Jefferson High School then served in the US Army at Fort Dix from 1952-54. They married in 1955 and moved to Islip Terrace in 1962. Mel began his CPA practice in 1964 and in 1984 became partners with Richard P. Bloch.

Aside from his business accomplishments, Mel’s reputation for telling good jokes made him many friends over the years and for that and so much more, he will be greatly missed. After being a timid sailor on the Great South Bay for many years, Mel developed an eclectic taste for collecting many things which made him extraordinary and very happy. He and Joyce were fortunate to travel for many years, collecting chess sets wherever they went, even when attending annual model train conventions to fulfill his other hobby.

Mel was a member of Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, Meridian Lodge No.0691; The American Legion, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Lodge Council Chapter Consistory; Train Collectors Association; Lionel Collectors Club of America, Big Train Collector Club; Chess Collectors International; Coca-Cola Collectors Club; Smithsonian Institute; and several others we may have missed.

A memorial gathering will be held at I.J. Morris Dix Hills on Tuesday, February 28 from 7-9pm. Funeral services beginning at 1pm on Wednesday February 29 also at I.J. Morris Dix Hills. Afterwards, closest friends are asked to join his family for interment at Wellwood Cemetery in Farmingdale. Shiva will be observed at Mel’s home, 62 Craig Road, Islip Terrace, NY on Thursday from 1-7pm and Friday 1-6pm.

In lieu of flowers and in memory of Mel, please make donations to the American Academy of Neurology Foundation for Stroke Research named to honor his son, Lawrence M. Brass, MD at AAN Foundation, attn: Susan C. Dunlop, 1080 Montreal Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55116 or email [email protected]. Thank you.