Melvin Irving Gordon

Melvin Irving Gordon, 94, of Milltown (formerly of Staten Island, NY), passed away Sunday, December 3rd, at Robert Wood Johnson University hospital, surrounded by his loving family. He was born November 3, 1923 in Queens, NY to Mary Louise (Mae) and Phillip Gordon and lived in Brooklyn during his formative years. An avid fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Mel was a frequent visitor to Ebbets Field in his youth. He enlisted in the Merchant Marines and reached the rank of Lieutenant during his service aboard the USS Chapultepec during WWII. After the war, Mel returned to Brooklyn where he met and married Marilyn Rosenthal in 1947. The couple lived in Brooklyn with their daughter Ellenye until 1966, when they purchased a home and moved to Staten Island. A master of multiple trades, Mel spent years as a gourmet chef, owning and operating luncheonettes in Brooklyn and two other restaurants in New Jersey, before transitioning into the accounting field where he became a member of the Empire State Association of Public Accountants. In 1988, Mel purchased Richmond County Ambulance and owned and operated the business for over 23 years, before officially retiring.

Mel will be best remembered for his consistent willingness to help others, specifically those in need or those less fortunate. He will also be remembered for his sincere love of animals, as he and his wife Marilyn spent years working with the Staten Island Council for Animal Welfare, and never met a cat they weren't willing to foster (or in many cases, adopt.) Mel was a highly intelligent and hardworking man. He was a devoted husband, loving father and an admired grandfather. He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.

Mel was predeceased by his 4 brothers, Robert, Perry, Warren and Buddy Gordon. Mel is survived by his wife of 70 years, Marilyn (Rosenthal) Gordon; his daughter, Ellenye Gordon-Rickert and her husband Andy Rickert of Milltown, and his grandson Jeffrey Rickert.

Funeral Service and entombment will be held on Thursday, December 7th, 12 noon, at Marlboro Memorial Cemetery Mausoleum, 361 Rt. 79, Morganville. Friends and relatives may call on Wednesday, from 7:00 – 9:00 pm, at The Crabiel Home for Funerals, 170 N Main St.-at Riva Avenue, Milltown. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the SICAW, http://goo.gl/BIyA3J . You may sign the online obituary "guestbook" at www.crabiel.com