ALAN M. PROTZEL

PROTZEL--Alan M., passed away peacefully on June 21, 2023. Alan was a devoted husband to Monica; father to Leslie, Jeffrey, Pamela, Wendy, and Peter; father-in-law to Lumie, Dan, Ed, and Meredith; grandfather to Reina, Sam, Ethan, Alexandra, Mei, and Andrew. Alan was born to parents, Joseph and Ruth, in the Bronx in April 1930. He was fortunate to have a loving extended family, including cousins Alice and John Rubenstein and Stephen and Merle Hornstein; sisters-in-law, Joan Bloom and Naomi Finkelstein, brothers-in-law, Hy Bloom and Michael Finkelstein, as well as many nieces and nephews. Alan and Monica married in 1955 and eventually settled with their five children in Woodbury, New York. Alan had many passions in life as: a consummate storyteller, a committed reader, a skilled sommelier for family and friends, and a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees. Along the way, he picked up some useful skills at P.S. 35, Bronx Science, New York University, and the University of Pennsylvania. He became an accomplished oral and maxillofacial surgeon, and he owned a private practice for over 50 years - the last 20 with his son Peter. He was on the staff of numerous hospitals, including Mid-Island/New Island/St. Joseph's hospital during this period, and he was asked to serve in leadership roles, including chief of the medical staff and chair of the credentialing committee. Parallel in importance and accomplishment was his devotion, love, and commitment to his family and faith. He and Monica were members of North Shore Synagogue for over 50 years and active participants in the Jewish community. Most of all, his smile, kindness, and uncommon decency were infectious and attracted many people from his personal, professional, and religious circles into his loving orbit. Compassion, generosity, and humility were his greatest gifts to those who knew and loved him. Friends and family are invited to celebrate his life at North Shore Synagogue at 83 Muttontown Eastwoods Road, Syosset, NY 11791 on Sunday, June 25, 2023 at 12pm. In his memory, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to North Shore Synagogue.