Melvin Babner

Melvin (known as Mel to friends and family) was a lifelong Peabody resident, born in Chelsea on December 21, 1929. He was the son of the late Louis and Ida (Goren) Babner. He was educated in the Peabody School System and received a degree from Burdett College and his Bachelor’s Degree in business, and traffic management from Northeastern University. Mel served in the Korean War from 1951-1952. He spent his entire career of 40 years working for Stahl Chemical as a production manager in their leather factory on Howley Street in Peabody. Mel was very active in our community as a member of Temple Ner Tamid for 54 years, having served as Men’s Club President and diligently leading the kitchen for Bingo. He was a member of the Peabody Rotary Club, also for 54 years, as well as Metro Bowl’s Monday night bowling league for over 50 years. Mel was Chairman of the local Red Cross while donating over 13 gallons of blood and running many blood drives over the years as well.

He had a sharp sense of humor and a love for the small things in life - scratch tickets, a game of cribbage, singing Broadway showtunes with his children, feeding pigeons and going to IHOP with his grandkids, and spending hours fishing and lobstering on his boat.

Mel was happiest when he was with his wife Etty, his girls, and his grandkids. He was a devoted husband for 65 years, having met Etty at Fisherman’s Beach in Swampscott in 1956. Together they worked hard and raised a beautiful family. He was the best ‘girl dad’ imaginable! He was extremely proud of all of his grandchildren and took great pride in all of their accomplishments. He had a unique and special relationship with each one of them.

He is survived by his loving wife Ethel, daughter Linda Needel and her husband Stu of Belcamp, MD, daughter Jane Torff and her husband Larry of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, daughter Judy Kemp and her husband Steve of Peabody, as well as his grandchildren Philip McCauley, Stacey McCauley, Steven Torff, Matthew Torff, Hannah Kemp, and Benjamin Kemp. He also leaves behind many loved nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his siblings Irving Babner, Esther Winer, and Gladys Katcher.

Services will be held at Temple Ner Tamid, 368 Lowell St., Peabody, on Friday, January 17, 2025, at 10:00 am. Interment to follow in Maple Hill Cemetery. The family will be receiving visitors back at Temple Ner Tamid on Friday from 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm and at the home of Judy Kemp on Sunday from 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mel’s memory may be made to Temple Ner Tamid, 368 Lowell St., Peabody, MA 01960