Irving Smolens

Irving Smolens, a resident of Melrose of 52 years and a U.S. Army 4th Infantry Division D-Day Veteran, died after a short illness on April 11, 2015. Irving was the loving husband of Edith (Roud) and loving father of Karen Smolens & her partner Robert McCarthy and late Joanne Smolens. He was the brother of Daniel Smolens & his wife Lucille of Brookline and the late Florence & Leo Berger. In addition he leaves his niece, Barbara Berger & her husband Stephen Patten, and his nephews David Berger and Jonathan Smolens as well as a grandniece, grandnephews and countless friends around the world.

Irving worked as a merchandise buyer and store manager. He graduated from Boston University on the GI Bill. He was active in civic affairs, politics, and civil rights all of his life. He served as President of Temple Beth Shalom in Melrose and upon retirement, served for many years as President of the Retired Persons Association at the Boston Center for Adult Education.

He and his wife were honorary life members of the Melrose Democratic City Committee and were recently honored with the Keys to the City for their tireless work in improving the quality of life for the citizens of Melrose. He was an avid and knowledgeable jazz enthusiast as well as a sports fan and bridge player. For many years he participated in the Melrose Schools Veterans Day and Memorial Day programs and often met with students to discuss his WWII experiences. He participated in the 50th, 60th and 70th Anniversaries of D-Day and this year he spoke with President Obama.

Services will be held at Temple Beth Shalom, 21 East Foster Street, Melrose, 02176 on Tuesday, April 14 at 11:00am. Burial will be private. Memorial observance will begin on Tuesday at Temple Beth Shalom from 3-5pm and continue at the Smolens residence on Wednesday from 2-5pm and Thursday 2-4pm and 6-8pm with Minyan on Tuesday at 7:30pm and Thursday at 7:30pm. Donations in Irving’s memory may be made to the MHS Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 760695, Melrose, MA 02176 in memory of Joanne Smolens or Temple Beth Shalom.