Melvin S. Ross

A 1955 graduate of Cleveland Heights High School, he went on to build a successful 40-year career in Cleveland real estate investment and management. During the course of his career, he owned dozens of apartment buildings, as well as office and commercial properties. Considered an industry leader in the region, he served on the Board and as President of the NOAA (Northeast Ohio Apartment Association), on the Board of the OAA (Ohio Apartment Association), and as an officer of the NAA (National Apartment Association.)

Mel had a deep love for his dogs, especially Rio and Shiloh. He was a devoted Cleveland and Ohio State sports fan and was an avid boater who enjoyed many years on the waters of Ohio, Chautauqua Lake and Florida. In addition to these hobbies, Mel will be remembered for his sense of humor and his devotion to his family and friends.

In addition to his wife Sally, Mel is survived by his three children: Daryl (Kathy) Ross, Cindy (Dave) Evoy, and Beth (Todd) Hopkins. He was a proud grandfather to eight grandchildren - Ashley (Sam) Kraus, Kaitlin (Jordan) Milich, Grant (Jane) Ross, Alexandra (Ricky) Beary, Alana Kohn, Samantha Evoy, Hayley Evoy, and Ross Evoy, and was a loving great-grandfather to nine great-grandchildren, all of whom brought him immense joy. He is also survived by many cherished cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends.

A service to honor Mel’s life will be held on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel, 1985 South Taylor Road, Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Interment will follow at Mayfield Cemetery. To view the service, please scroll down to the Services Section and click on “JOIN LIVESTREAM”. The family will receive guests for shiva on Sunday from 2:00–5:00 PM and again from 7:00–9:00 PM at Sherri Park Apartments Community Room, 2201 Acacia Park Drive, Lyndhurst, Ohio 44124.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Mel’s memory to The Melvin and Sally Ross Endowed Fund for Macular Degeneration Research c/o The Cleveland Clinic Philanthropy Institute, P.O. Box 931517, Cleveland, OH 44193-1655 or to a charity of your choice.