Mel Gittleman Obituary
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.
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Christina Kirou
November 8, 2013
It's with great sorrow to hear of Mel's passing. He was a great business man and a wonderful person whom I will never forget.
September 15, 2013
God Bless you, Mel!
corrine and Tom feinberg
March 14, 2013
Dear Shelley, Our r heartfelt sympathies to your entire family. we have fond memories of your family when the children were in their youth. May your beautiful memories be of great comfort to you. Our thoughts are with you. with much warmth Tom and Corrine Feinberg
March 7, 2013
Sending my condolences to the Gittleman family.
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Lois Turen
March 7, 2013
I moved into Bush Terrace Apartments in my late 20's, it was the early 70's. Bush Terrace was built, owned and managed by Mel Gittleman. He was a brilliant business man. His rental rates were very reasonable, as were the subsequent rent increases, so you were comfortable signing and renewing three year leases, which is unheard of, the industry standard is one year. It meant that there was very, very little turn-over, which is very costly and hard on the property and long-term tenants tend to treat the property more like their own.
I never met Mel, but Chelle would often bring “little” Andy and Mark to swim at the Bush pool. For a short time, after my retirement, I worked part time for Gittleman in the office at Grant Park, where I met the “adult” Mark Gittleman and we had a chance to reminisce about the Bush Terrace days.
In 2010, more than 30 years after leaving Bush, I decided to downsize from my townhouse and bought a condo at Edina West, one of Mel's early condo complexes. This past fall the Edina West Association hired the Gittleman Company to manage our property. So we've come full circle and I couldn't be happier. Mel Gittleman was held in high regard by everyone who has ever lived at a Gittleman property or worked for the company!
Lois Turen
March 7, 2013
I moved into Bush Terrace Apartments in my late 20's, it was the early 70's. Bush Terrace was built, owned and managed by Mel Gittleman. He was a brilliant business man. At the time, when you rented from him, you signed a three year lease, which is unheard of – but it meant that there was very, very little turn-over, which is very costly and hard on the property. I was very concerned how much the rent would go up at the end of a three year lease – again, very wisely, he raised it only $10/month so I signed up for another three years.
I never met Mel, but Chelle would often bring little Andy and Mark to swim at the pool. For a short time, after my retirement, I worked part time for Gittleman in the office at Grant Park, where I met the adult Mark Gittleman and we had a chance to reminisce about the Bush Terrace days.
After six years at Bush I went on to live in and own two townhouses. In 2010 I decided to downsize and bought a condo at Edina West, one of Mel's early condo complexes. This past fall the Edina West Association hired Gittleman to manage our property. So we've both come full circle and I couldn't be happier. Mel Gittleman was held in high regard by everyone who ever lived at a Gittleman property or worked for the company!
Trish & Jeff Peterson
March 6, 2013
Dear Gittleman Family:
The service today for Mel was beautiful. It was lovely to hear the stories and prayers from your family. Jeff and I have many fond memories working with him and will miss him dearly. Mel touched the hearts of so many people (especially his employees) and it was great to see that so many came to pay their respects.
It was a pleasure to work with him and an honor to work for him.
We pray for your family during this sorrowful time.
Trish and Jeff Peterson
Gittleman Employees (1991-2011)
Keith Dinius
March 6, 2013
I would like to express my condolences to the Gittleman family at this difficult time. The business relationship I have had with Mel Gittleman over the years has meant a lot to me. I enjoyed working with him and respected his work ethics. I will miss him. Again my thoughts go out to the family.
daniel johnson
March 6, 2013
Mel gave me a chance when no one else would! That says it all! He was a GREAT MAN!!! And I'm going to miss him.
Daniel Johnson
Lori Anne Schwiesow
March 6, 2013
I learned the business from Mel and still credit him today for my knowledge of the business. My thoughts are with his family today.
March 6, 2013
Always a gentleman. He will be missed by many.
Leland Bentley
March 6, 2013
Back in the early 1970s I worked for Mel as he started his vision of building quality living by his first project called Edina West Condominiums. He instilled in me values that I have carried with me my entire life,if your going to build something, build it to last.Although I never told him, I thought of Mel as my second Dad. Chelle,Andy,Mark,Marci-I send you my deepest sympathy,I know how you feel because I feel it too. Leland Bentley
John and Mary Kay Murray
March 6, 2013
We are so sorry for your loss Chelle. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God Bless, John and Mary Kay
March 5, 2013
I was so sad to hear Mel had passed.I enjoyed working for him and miss the chats we would have and visiting while at work. We always would talk about our families.He was always so kind and loving.You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Tammy Hughes
Roisin Laskin
March 5, 2013
Very sorry to hear about your loss. Your family will be in our prayers. Roisin and Gary Laskin
Joy Rux (Rubin)
March 5, 2013
I am so saddened to hear of Mel's passing. I so enjoyed the pleassure of working for him for several years. He had a great love for people and family. Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Gregg Scherer
March 5, 2013
I am very sad today as I learn of Mel's death. He was such a good and kind man to me. I had many long talks with him about how much he loved his family. I will greatly miss him, but will think of him fondly. You all are in my prayers.
March 5, 2013
I was so saddened to learn of Mel's death this morning. I am so sorry for your loss. I am glad that he is able to join my father, Jim Reding, in heaven, so they can hold their important meetings again. My father respected Mel and will enjoy visiting with him again. They can share stories and laugh together. Please know my thoughts are with you as I know how hard it is to lose a father and grandfather. We will all miss him! He was a wonderful man. I always enjoyed my visits with him! Sincerely, Jonalyn Lippka(Reding)
Peggy Anfang
March 5, 2013
Andy, my sincere sympathy to you and your family for the loss of your father.
Linda Sachs
March 5, 2013
With deepest sympathy~
sara lovelace
March 5, 2013
I was deeply saddened to learn of Mel's death. Mel was highly regarded, loved and respected in Minnesota for his amazing vision in developing and managing beautiful outstanding properties. He was and always will be the best in the industry! Knowing Mel personally he was such a family man that loved and was so proud of his children, grandchildren and his devoted wife, Chelle. He will be greatly missed by so many especially the Lovelace family. My heart goes out to Chelle, Andy, Mark, Marci,their children and their loved ones.
sara lovelace
March 5, 2013
I was deeply saddened to learn of Mel's death. Mel was highly regarded, loved and respected in Minnesota. Knowing Mel personally as I did he was such a great father, grandfather and husband who touched so many lives in so many ways. His amazing vision for developing and managing properties has always been the very best in the industry! My heart goes out to his devoted wife, Chelle, their children, Andy, Mark, Marci and their children and love ones. Mel will always live in the Lovelace's heart. In deepest sympathy. Sara Lovelace and Family
March 5, 2013
Andy and Mark, I am so sorry for your loss.
Sincerely, Ed Dumas
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126 E Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55404
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