Kenneth "Ken" Irving

1948 - 2021

(News story) Kenneth "Ken" Irving Melzak, a Toledo business owner who was a man of many hobbies, died Wednesday at ProMedica Ebeid Hospice Residence, Sylvania. He was 72.

The family did not report the cause of his death.

Mr. Melzak owned and operated the Allied Gear and Sprocket manufacturing company in Toledo from 1994, when he took over after his late brother-in-law retired that year, until he closed it in 2011 and sold the building after business slowed down, his wife said.

Before that, he was an accountant with a Toledo accounting firm for several years.

Over the years, Mr. Melzak also prepared tax returns for area clients.

His wife of 46 years, Julie Melzak, said he was hard-working and detail-oriented, and "wanted everything to be perfect."

"He was also kind and understanding," she said. "He listened to whatever anyone had to say - everybody," including employees and clients, she said.

Born Aug. 20, 1948 in Toledo to Jeanne and Joseph Melzak, he was a 1966 Central Catholic High School graduate and then obtained a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Toledo in 1970.

In 1975, he married Julie Mathews, with whom he raised four children.

In his free time, he enjoyed being with family members, including traveling with his wife to Florida, Virginia, and South Carolina on beach trips.

A numbers man, his varied interests included meteorology, astrology, mathematics, and sports statistics, his wife said.

Mr. Melzak also enjoyed popular music from the 1980s, movies, pets, playing cards and wiffle ball, and rooting for the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Red Wings.

He was a member of St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Church and a former member of St Pius X Catholic Church.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Brian Melzak. Surviving are his wife, Julie Melzak; sons, Matt and Mike Melzak; daughters, Jen Hazel and Amanda Boeke; brother, Wayne Melzak, and six grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave., with a Scripture service to begin at 7 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. in St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Church, 4201 Heatherdowns Blvd.

The family suggests tributes to the Toledo Area Humane Society or to the American Diabetes Association.