Born in Brooklyn, he was raised in Albany, NY. He resided in Manalapan, NJ before settling in Millstone 23 years ago.
Prior to retiring, he was a Systems Programmer at Citibank for 10 years before becoming self-employed as a computer consultant. A computer enthusiast, he built his own computers before they became mainstream. He frequented computer shows and loved learning about new technology. Mel was very creative and could build or fix anything. He was a lifelong Beatles fan, a lover of animals and nature, and loved going on walks. On his walks, he would say hello to everyone he saw and was recognized by everyone he passed.
Surviving is his loving wife of 50 years, Janet; his daughters: Ilene Flechner and her husband Jack, Jill Nice and her husband Ryan, and Alana Martell and her husband Samuel; 7 grandchildren: Lexi, Evan, Samantha, Matthew, Jude, Oliver, and Asher; a brother, Neil Tolhurst and his wife Pam; a nephew, George Tolhurst; and a niece, Debra Tolhurst.
A funeral service will be held for Mel on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at 11AM at Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels, 44 Wilson Avenue, Manalapan, NJ. Interment will immediately follow at Mt. Sinai Cemetery, Marlboro, NJ.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mel's name to: Deborah Heart & Lung Hospital, Hungerthon, or Doctors Without Borders.