Melvin Shafron

Melvin Shafron, died peacefully on December 11, 2025. He was 94 years old. Born to Lillian and Harry Shafron, he graduated from Shaker Heights High School, where he was inducted into its Hall of Fame, Western Reserve University, and Harvard Medical School. After a surgical internship at the University of Michigan Hospitals, he spent two years as a surgeon in the Navy, serving on the USS Bayfield in the Pacific Fleet.

When his military service ended, Mel returned to Cleveland in 1959 and began his neurosurgical residency at University Hospitals. That was also the year he met the love of his life, Maude, on a blind date, and to whom he was married for more than 65 years.

Mel was a leading neurosurgeon in Northeast Ohio. He chaired the department at Mt. Sinai Hospital, and served for a year as the chief of the medical staff at Hillcrest Hospital. He was a past president of the Neurosurgical Society of America, and was honored as the Ohio Neurosurgeon of the Year. He was an active member of the Cleveland Academy of Medicine, served as the president of the Allen Memorial Medical Library, volunteered at the Free Clinic and with Court Community Service, and also served on the board of the Jewish Family Services Association.

Mel was an avid reader, and enjoyed tennis, which he played until he was 87, playing bridge, lifelong learning at Siegel College and then Senior Scholars, and most of all, fishing at Lake Melrich.

But none of his accomplishments were as important to him as his family, and he enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his eight grandchildren, to whom he was “Papa,” whether it was with, or without, a fishing rod in hand.

Mel is survived by his wife, Maude, his children Steve (Edie), David (Debbie), and Karen Ellis (David), and his grandchildren Aaron, Ethan, Ellie, Daniel, Andy, Lily, Avery, and Michael. He was predeceased by his parents and his beloved sister, Shirley Pasternak (Harold, deceased).

Services will be held at Congregation Mishkan Or, 26000 Shaker Blvd., Beachwood Monday, December 15, at 11:00AM. Interment Mt. Olive Cemetery (FCHB section). To view the service, please go to www.mishkanor.org and select “Livestream”’

Shiva will be observed on Monday following interment until 8:00pm at Congregation Mishkan Or, and on Tuesday, December 16, from 1-4 pm and 7-9 pm at the residence, Atrium Two, 26300 Village Lane, #302, Beachwood, OH 44122

Contributions in Mel’s memory may be made to Congregation Mishkan Or