Melvin H. Zonis

Mel adored his family, especially Elissa, his devoted wife of 57 years. He also lived for his children and their spouses: Beth Zonis and Ron Levine of Lexington, MA, Jonathan and Jennifer Zonis of New Canaan, CT, and Louise Zonis and David Fox of San Francisco, CA. He was passionate about family, and took great pleasure in his grandchildren: Charlotte, Maia, Evan, Josh and Bridget. He is also survived by his sister Judith Listernick. The powerful bonds among those he left behind are a testament to his love.

Mel was born in Boston on July 21, 1930, to Dr. Jonathan Zonis and Frances Zonis. He grew up with a rambunctious spirit and a caring sensibility, along with a strong dedication to scholarly pursuits. He spent his childhood in Roxbury and then Chestnut Hill. After graduating from the Roxbury Latin School in 1948, he attended Harvard University, where he majored in Human Relations and kindled his lifelong passion for History. He graduated cum laude from Harvard in 1952, then went on to study at Chicago Medical School, where he graduated with an MD in 1956. He did his residency at Boston City Hospital and a postdoctoral fellowship at Children’s Hospital in Boston before serving as a physician in the Army in Indianapolis from 1960-1962. After completing his Army service, Mel settled in Quincy and co-founded Quincy Pediatrics, where he worked as a Pediatrician from 1962 to 2000. Mel’s calm and compassionate demeanor helped him forge strong relationships with his patients and colleagues. Throughout his career, Mel maintained affiliations with Quincy City Hospital, St Margaret’s Hospital, Tufts New England Medical Center and Children’s Hospital.

Shortly after Mel and Elissa were introduced by Mel’s uncle, they expressed their love for each other over an ice cream cone at Brigham’s in Newton. Due to Mel and Elissa’s mutual passion for health food and fitness, that may have been the last ice cream they shared, but it was the spark that fueled a lifelong romance. In 1960, Mel and Elissa married at Elissa’s childhood home in Marblehead. They spent the next six decades cultivating an iconic life of love, health, happiness, wild salmon, and longevity.

Mel’s favorite summer pastime was meandering along Preston Beach in Marblehead with friends and family. He was a longtime member of the Quincy Tennis Club, the Quincy YMCA, the Weymouth Club, the JCC in Marblehead, Temple Beth El in Quincy, and most recently Congregation Sha’aray Shalom in Hingham.

We will remember Mel for his love of family, deep dedication to the art and science of pediatrics, warm sense of humor, and ever-present optimism.

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The funeral will take place on Tuesday, October 31, 2017 at Stanetsky Memorial Chapels, 1668 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA at 11am with interment at Lindwood Memorial Park, 490 North Street, Randolph, MA. Lunch to follow the burial at the home of Elissa Zonis and the late Melvin Zonis.

Shiva will take place at the home of Elissa and the late Melvin Zonis on Tuesday, October 31, from 6pm-8pm, with minyan at 7pm.

Shiva will continue at the home of Beth Zonis and Ron Levine, on Wednesday, November 1, 2017 2pm-4pm and 7pm-9pm with minyan at 7:30pm.

Donations may be made to the Roxbury Latin School in Melvin’s memory.

May the memory of Melvin Zonis be an abiding blessing.