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Melvin Estroff Obituary
ESTROFF, 88
ST. PETERSBURG - Longtime community activist, Melvin Barkin Estroff, died on August 24, 2009, at age 88 of heart failure.
In Lakeland, where he and Elsie Jane Haft Estroff lived until 1978, in addition to managing the Empire stores with his brother Selig, he spearheaded grassroots efforts to fight racism in the 1960s, collaborated with NAACP leaders to form the Lakeland Human Relations Council, fought against anti-Semitism, and was instrumental in building Temple Eman-uel. Mel was a member of the Lakeland Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, a founding member of United Way, and served on the Board of Lakeland General Hospital. In St. Pete, Mel served on the Interfaith Council, and both Temple Beth-El and Menorah Manor boards and continued to fight racism.
Born to Sam Estroff and Tillie Barkin in Lyons, Georgia in 1920, Mel had the first bar mitzvah in Lakeland, was an Eagle Scout, loved the outdoors, fishing and bird watching. He went to the Citadel at age 16 and later served in the Army Air Corp as a radar intelligence officer and flight instructor. He graduated from the Wharton School of Business at the Univ. of Pennsylvania in 1941. Mel wed Elsie Haft in 1946, and they were devoted to each other in an especially happy marriage of 63 years. They had four children, David Tilden Estroff, Sue Ellen Estroff, Jill Haft Estroff and Freddi Lynn Estroff. Melvin's humor, penchant for puns, storytelling, sense of wonder and optimism will be deeply missed. His brothers Selig and Pat, daughter-in-law Judy Burt Estroff, son-in-law Dan Bernstein, grandchildren Jennifer, Ben, Sara and Faith, seven nieces and nephews and many dear friends and family members mourn his passing.
Services Thurs., Aug. 27, at 1 p.m. at Temple Beth-El, 400 Pasadena Ave. S., St. Pete, 33707 (727) 347-6136.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Melvin Estroff
Sponsored by Jill Estroff.
August 30, 2009
Dear Elsie, I am so sorry to hear about Mel and as I've been there and know what you are going through, I want you to know my thoughts and prayers are with you and Freddie and your family. Love you and think of you often Naomi Lee
August 27, 2009
Melvin Estroff touched so many lives in such a positive way- a loving husband and father, helpful to all his family, and my good friend. I will truly miss our many discussions. Elsie, my dear,dear, friend, our prayers and thoughts are with you. Mel devoted his life to making this a better world through teaching and his many interfaith and community activities-a true model for all of us to emulate if we are to have a peaceful world.
Memories are like a bank account-we deposit them thoughout our life and can draw them out, so our loved ones live on. We will all remember his good humor and thoughtful words. Shalom,
Holly,David,Barry,Lynne
Susan Hoff Gentner
August 27, 2009
To Freddi, Elsie and the Family of Melvin Estroff...
Below is a poem I co-wrote long before I first knew you and your parents! What Jill said is so true...wish he could hear the tributes...
Old Shoes
Give your oldest pair of shoes to me
to wear
When in times of many tears and new erasures
you shall not find
A kinder face, a closer place
A home to rest your heart in.
Then, Stop Tears!
Spring happens to you, too
And give your oldest pair of shoes to me
That we may fall, as petals
Back to the earth and sleep
Sleep Summer Slumber.
Lew Yerkes & Sue Hoff (circa '69)
Maybe it's the shoe connection? You know how he was always fixing your shoes until they were better than before. Shoemaker! Nobody mentioned that one yet...
Bless his heart
Bill and Sally Israel
August 27, 2009
Mel was our political and philosophical soul mate, and he will sorely be missed. We also shared a strong mutual interest in Southern Jewish history, and he leaves a void there too. He was a great man and a good and caring man - someone who made a difference. Sally and I are saddened at losing him, and we feel the void he leaves. Our sincere condolences to his family.
August 27, 2009
Susan and I join all the people in Estrovia, Melvin's light hearted name for our families,in mourning his loss. He was a one of a kind in a very GOOD WAY. I will always remember Melvin and Elsie for their smiles,humor and hospitality. People like Melvin don't come around every day. Mel, you lived an exemplary life of service and love extended to all, regardless of color,religion,economic status. I say, bon voyage as you sail away to your ultimate destiny, surely a place in HASHEM'S KINGDOM. Simon
Marilyn Signer
August 27, 2009
I am reminded of the good times we shared so many years ago. Let the happy memories help you and your family during this difficult time.
Fondly Marilyn Signer
Laura Waller
August 27, 2009
I was so sorry to learn of Mel's death. My love goes out to Elsie. May your wonderful life together provide cherished memories at this very difficult time.Laura Waller
August 27, 2009
A wonderful man-we have many fond memories of him.
Susan Shepard and family
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