Barry Melnick, whose mother and sister perished in the Holocaust, passed away peacefully July 20, 2013. He was 96. Rabbi Ben Greenberg and Cantor Joel Lichterman officiated at the July 21 graveside service at Rose Hill Cemetery. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
An honorable man with a great sense of humor, he was funny, smart, practical and sweet, his loved ones said. Family always came first.
His Hebrew name was Baruch, which means blessed. He was indeed blessed. And we were all blessed to have known and loved him.
Mr. Melnick was born in 1917 in Poland. He had two siblings, Morton and Sonia. Their father passed away when Barry was 11.
He helped out in his brothers dental lab business and his mothers beer garden.
As a young adult he belonged to Betar, the Zionist youth movement. Menachem Begin was his troop leader.
His relatives, who had immigrated to Colorado,1904-1920, started to bring the family over from Poland. Morton came first, followed by Barry in 1938.
After Hitler invaded Poland, Mr. Melnick never saw his mother or sister again. Mr. Melnick enlisted in 1941. He became a master sergeant in the medical and dental corps, stationed in New Jersey.
He purchased the Zephyr Lounge and Diner on East Colfax near Fitzsimons Army Medical Hospital in 1947. He enjoyed business, loved his customers and never drank.
Mr. Melnick met Florence Florrie. Married in March of 1950, they were together 63 years.
His hobbies included fishing, gardening, dancing, traveling and theater. He was a charter member of Beth Joseph and Meadow Hills Country Club.
Barry loved America and pursued the American dream, the family said.
Mr. Melnick is survived by his wife Florence Florrie Melnick; children Dr. Lorry (Susan), Myron (Marcia), and Jodi (Larry) Ansell; and grandchildren Lindsey (Dan) Levine, Matthew Melnick, Devin Sasso, Amanda Ansell and Jonathan Ansell.
Copyright © 2013 by the Intermountain Jewish News
