Dr. Steven Elliott Gelser Melamed Sr.

Dr. Steven Elliott Gelser Melamed, Sr. "Mr. Steve", 79, a retired educator and Presbyterian minister passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at his home in Tallahassee.

A native of New York City, Steve graduated from the High School of Music and Arts in Manhattan in 1959, and New York University in 1963. He earned a Master of Arts degree in English from The City College of New York in 1966, a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1974, and a PhD in Humanities from FSU in 1992. Steve taught English in the public schools of New York City and worked as a copy editor for McGraw-Hill, John Wiley and Sons, and the National Council of Churches. Dr. Melamed was ordained by the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1975 and served as the minister of the First Presbyterian Church of Watervliet, New York and the Church of Universal Fellowship of Orono, Maine. He was a member of the presbytery of Florida, served of the president of the Rotary Club of Watervliet, New York and was a Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner.

A devoted husband and father, Steve's biggest joy was raising his two sons and supporting his wife of nearly 50 years. He enjoyed walking, sailing, golfing, skiing, and the lifelong pursuit of learning languages (French, German, and Greek). He loved to travel and learn about cultures from around the globe, visiting Europe, Egypt, Japan, Russia, Greece, and other far flung locales. He was an accomplished amateur pianist, and he had a passion for classical music.

Steve is survived by his wife, Antonia; his children, Steven Jr. and Alex; daughters-in-law, Marisa and Allison; grandchild, Asher; and sister, Evelyn Melamed. Their hearts are broken by his loss.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, May 28, 2021 at 3pm at Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, 700 Timberlane Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32312.