Mel Brass, age 79, passed away very peacefully at his home
late on Saturday, February 25, 2012 after a resolute fight
against prostate cancer.
He was predeceased by his
sister, Laura; their parents, Oscar and Martha; and his son,
Dr. Lawrence M. Brass.
Mel was husband of 56 years to
Joyce Friedman Brass; also father to Jill Brass and Suzy
Brass McInerney; grandfather to Bobby McInerney, Zach Brass,
Danny McInerney, Schuyler Brass and Tommy McInerney; father
in law to Lori Ann Brass; cousin to Stanley (and Bunny)
Weiner, Sue (and Sid) Wolkin, Stephanie Wolkin and Jan
Wolkin; brother to Steve (and Wheat) Press, Larry Press,
Michael Press, Dan Press,
Laura Press and Craig Press;
stepson to Margaret Press, best friend to Dan (and Debbie)
Jones, business partner and cherished friend to Rich (and
Sue) Bloch and Dan (and Nicole) Bloch; friend, fellow model
train enthusiast and chess collector to hundreds of people
around the country and around the world.
Mel was born July 25, 1932 in
Brooklyn NY.
He
met Joyce in 1949 at Thomas Jefferson High School then served
in the US Army at Fort Dix from 1952-54.
They married in 1955 and
moved to Islip Terrace in 1962.
Mel began his CPA practice
in 1964 and in 1984 became partners with Richard P.
Bloch.
Aside from his business
accomplishments, Mel’s reputation for telling good
jokes made him many friends over the years and for that and
so much more, he will be greatly missed.
After being a timid sailor
on the Great South Bay for many years, Mel developed an
eclectic taste for collecting many things which made him
extraordinary and very happy.
He and Joyce were fortunate
to travel for many years, collecting chess sets wherever they
went, even when attending annual model train conventions to
fulfill his other hobby.
Mel was a member of Grand Lodge
of Free and Accepted Masons, Meridian Lodge No.0691; The
American Legion, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Lodge Council
Chapter Consistory; Train Collectors Association; Lionel
Collectors Club of America, Big Train Collector Club; Chess
Collectors International; Coca-Cola Collectors Club;
Smithsonian Institute; and several others we may have missed.