IRA MALEK

MALEK--Ira Robert. Ira Robert Malek of Brooklyn, New York and Rockport, Massachusetts, passed away on September 22, 2025, at the age of 96 years in Rockport, MA. Ira was born in Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn, New York on February 1, 1929 to the late Morris and Tillie (Deutsch) Malek. He graduated from Lincoln High School, class of 1946, where he was on the Student Court and played leading roles in several theater productions including Our Town. After high school, Ira attended City College of New York where he received a B.S. degree in Mathematics and a Master's degree in American History. During the Korean War, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and attended Officers Candidate School, earning the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1958. Ira worked for Ayerst Laboratories (Pfizer) as a hospital pharmaceutical representative. While working for Ayerst Laboratories he bought several rental properties in Brooklyn. In 1963, he became involved in a hobby rebuilding antique Player Pianos. This hobby turned into a full-time business in 1969, which continued for 35 years. He was an active member of the Automated Musical Instrument Collectors' Association (AMICA). He held the office of Master of Amos Lodge #938 in 1965 for the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. His greatest passion was 1970 era Buick Muscle Cars. He owned several during his lifetime and especially enjoyed his time spent with the Antique Automobile Association of Brooklyn. Ira was the devoted husband of the late Norma Sylvia (Brody) Malek for 52 years; father of Linda Petrino and her husband Mark, Jody Grunfeld and her husband Ronald and Robert Malek; grandfather of Jessica Petrino and her husband Jarod Ball; Michael Petrino and his wife Elizabeth Harden; Justin Grunfeld and his wife Debbie; Tara Grunfeld and her husband Max Marks; Jamie Grunfeld and her husband Tyler Garson, Eric Grunfeld and Margaret Malek. He had six great-grandchildren, Alexander and Eliza Ball, Summer and Rhodes Marks and Ryder and Brooks Grunfeld. He was also survived by his cherished niece, Jade Malek and treasured grandnieces Lynn Shimizu and her husband Tom, Tina Lizama and grandnephew Kirk Cruz and their families. He also leaves behind longtime friends, John Bottalico and his wife Grace, their son Anthony Bottalico and his wife Kathy and their families. Ira was predeceased by his siblings Florence Schulman, Albert Malek, Shirley Kaplan, and Mathew Malek. We give special thanks to the caring home health care aides of Hands-on America Services Inc. and the personal trainers at the Center for Balance, Mobility and Wellness at Gordon College. Services will be at Beth Moses Cemetery, 1500 Wellwood Avenue, West Babylon, NY on Sunday, September 28, at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the American Heart Association, www.heart.org For online condolences go to: www.goldmanfc.com