Melvin Irwin Kirschenbaum

Melvin Irwin Kirschenbaum, born October 31, 1933, died November 28, 2022. Son of Bella and Max, beloved husband of 66 years to Arlene (Rabinowitz), brother of Rhoda married to Harold Fishkin (deceased), father of Eric, Linda, and Matthew, doting grandfather to Arianna and Milena. Uncle to Dr. Michael Fishkin, Ellen (Fiterman) Fishkin, JD, Dr. Jerry Levine, and Michelle (Fishkin) Levine. Mel graduated from the Brooklyn College of Pharmacy in 1955; he married Arlene the following year and was immediately drafted into the Army. After an honorable discharge he began a career in retail pharmacy, owning three drug stores in Lefrak City and Freeport, Long Island. He went to work for Glen Cove Community Hospital in 1972 and stayed until his retirement in 2002. He and Arlene raised their family in Bellmore, New York: Tech Sergeant Eric Kirschenbaum, US Air Force, retired, married to Joann (Roth); Dr. Linda Kirschenbaum married to Dr. Charles Carpati, both critical care physicians at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, daughters Arianna and Milena; Matthew Kirschenbaum, Ph.D. married to Kari Kraus, Ph.D., both Professors at the University of Maryland. After Mel's retirement he and Arlene moved to Newport, New Jersey; they also owned and maintained a second home on Frye Island in Sebago Lake, Maine, source of many family memories. Mel was a selfless and loving man, devoted to the happiness of his wife, children, and granddaughters. He died at Palisades Medical Center after a short illness.