Melvyn Alan Cohen of Middletown passed away on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, peacefully at home. He was 81 years old.
Mel was born in Manhattan to Jean Kleinman and Mordecai Cohen on Dec. 1, 1939.
He attended a vocational high school for printing. He was then proud to serve in the Army Reserves from 1959-1965.
Mel had many talents including an amazing singing voice, being a radio personality, a successful local business owner and loved playing Santa. He also attended SUNY Orange at the age of 70 and achieved an honorary degree.
Mel had a deep love for gardening, animals, his fish tanks, photography, his movie collection and the New York Mets.
However, his greatest love of all was his family. His purest enjoyment in life was spending time together with his children and grandchildren. Nothing brought him greater joy.
Mel is survived by his loving wife, Arlynne, his daughters Shari and Amy, his sons David and Michael, his grandchildren Michael, Andrew, Christopher, Stephanie, Jacob, Aaron and Jonah, his great granddaughter Melliyani, and his loving ragdoll cat, Winston.
A graveside funeral service was held on Sept. 12 at the Temple Beth Shalom Synagogue Cemetery, Spanktown Road, Warwick. Rabbi Rebecca Pomerantz Shinder officiated.
Memorial contributions in Mel’s name may be made to Temple Beth Shalom Synagogue, P.O. Box 517, Florida, NY 10921.
Funeral arrangements are honorably entrusted to the Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home - 845-794-7474 or www.josephngarlickfuneralhome.com.