Melvin Kalmowitz

Mel was born on December 14th, 1924 in the Rockaways, Queens to Carl and May Kalmowitz, and grew up in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, the third of four brothers. Drafted into the US Army in 1943, he fought in the Pacific Theater in World War II, including in the Philippines and at Okinawa.

After the war, he began a career in electrical contracting, and on a job in her parents' store, met the love of his life, Henrietta "Henny" Tedofsky, whom he married in 1947. With a growing business and two young daughters, they relocated from Brooklyn to the Five Towns in 1959. When the girls were 17 and 18 and Mel and Henny were just on the cusp of empty nesting, they welcomed a son to the world and started all over again.

Both handy and artistically talented, much of Mel's Lawrence home was built with his own two hands and decorated with his own paintings. Also an accomplished musician and athlete, he played the drums in various bands and arrangements from childhood until well into his 90s, hit two holes-in-one, and was his children and grandchildren's closest follower and biggest fan in all their own musical and sporting endeavors.

Having built a successful business, he was able to retire relatively early, and enjoyed spending time with his family and keeping up with their achievements. His children and grandchildren all knew that when a deal was closed, a test aced, or a hockey game won, no one–including themselves–would be happier to hear the news than Papa Mel. Even in his last years as dementia set in, he still recognized all his family and loved their visits.

He is survived by his daughters Leslie (Luis) Rios and Marsha (the late Barnett) Priceman, son Carey (Cantor Rachel) Kalmowitz, grandchildren Rabbi Eitan (Adina) Kalmowitz, Ezra Kalmowitz, and Ilana Kalmowitz, and great-grandson Shlomo Yitzchok Kalmowitz, whom he was able to meet just two weeks before his passing. He was predeceased by his wife Henrietta in 1998, as well as by brothers Herbert, Robert, and Ivan Kalmowitz.

Donations may be sent to Temple Beth El of Bloomfield Hills, MI (tbeonline.org) or Chabad Youth Queens (chabadyq.com).