Melvin Chasen

1928 - 2017

CHASEN, Melvin was born on May 24, 1928, and passed away on March 13, 2017 at the age of 88. He led a full and active life until ALS claimed his body in stages beginning more than a year ago (ironic that it should be Lou Gehrig's disease, since he was an avid sports fan and as a boy aspired to be a baseball player). Mel (as he was known by most everyone) was above all, an individual, true to his own integrity and sense of priorities. Mel was a self-made man, coming from humble beginnings to realize considerable success. Although he graduated from high school with an engineering degree, and from college as a physical education teacher, from the start, his career was in business. As a vice president of the restaurant chain Lums, he orchestrated the company's purchase of Caesar's Palace, changed the company's name to Caesar's World, and negotiated the company's subsequent listing on the New York Stock Exchange. His biggest business success was with Transmedia Network, Inc., a specialized restaurant financing company, which he also had publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange. After retiring, he wrote a book titled simply Entrepreneurship, filled with practical advice and lessons drawn from his experience, went on to work with Florida International University on a program encouraging social entrepreneurship, and founded the Vice Provost's Council to support FIU. Even with his business success, Mel's greatest pride and joy was his family. He enjoyed spending time with each family member alone and together, whether at the family summer home in Lenox, Mass, or on any of the many cruises or other trips that the family took together. A gifted storyteller, he had a repertoire of funny tales that kept his family and friends laughing. Mel was a great friend to a lucky few—his advice was frequently sought and invariably followed. A leader among men and women, he had a knack for identifying goals, then specifying strategies and creating tactics to achieve them. He is survived by Iris Chasen, his beloved wife of 67 years, his children, Jerry Chasen, Barbara Chasen Carmel, and Sharon Chasen, his sons in law, Mark Kirby and Jon Carmel, his grandsons, Jeffrey Dubuc and his wife Malia, Ian Schwartz and his wife Sarah, and Neal Schwartz, and his great grandson, Asher Chasen Dubuc. A service will be held on Thursday, March 16, at 10:30 AM at Riverside Gordon Memorial Chapel, 17250 West Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach 33162, with interment following at Lakeside Memorial. Shiva details will be provided. Memorial donations may be made to the ALS Recovery Fund.