Melvyn Charney

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Melvyn Charney, 80, passed away with his family beside him early Friday morning at Crouse Hospital. Born on May 20, 1944 to Jerome and Phyllis Charney, he was a life resident of Syracuse.

He was a graduate of Central HS, and attended the University of Miami. Mel began his lifelong career in their family’s business, Charney’s Men’s and Boy’s clothing when he was 14. In 2001 the store was named to the Esquire Retail 100 list of menswear specialty stores. At one point there were four generations of Charney’s and Kruth’s working at the stores.

Mel was a life member of Temple Beth El. He was especially proud to have served as the chairman of the capital campaign to raise the funds for the stained glass windows at the Synagogue. He and his family were also involved in sponsorships at the Early Childhood Development Program at The Jewish Community Center; Golisano Children’s Hospital; and served as the Chairman of the Israel Bond Campaign of Syracuse. The Charney and Kruth family also established the Holocaust Information Resource Center at the JCC. He was one of a small group who established the Jewish Community Foundation of Central New York.

Mel will forever be remembered for his love of his family…they were his first thought in the morning, and his last thought at night.

His family includes his wife Sarah of 57 years, their children Lisa and Adam Waldman; Jennifer Charney, and Jill and Jeff Braverman; Grandchildren Jake, Ryan, Koby, Alexis, and Rylie; his sister and brother-in-law Karen and Shelly Kruth; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jack and Gina Davis; and his nieces and nephews who he treated like his own. He was pre deceased by his older sister Dianne in 1950.

Mel’s family is greatly appreciative of the loving and gentle care he and his family received at Crouse Hospital. The doctors, nurses and support staff were outstanding.

Services will be at noon on Monday the 16th at Sisskind Funeral Chapel, 3175 E. Genesee street. There will be no visitation prior to the service.
Burial will be in Beth El Cemetery. The service will be live streamed on the Sisskind Funeral Service FaceBook page beginning at 11:55 on Monday the 16th.

Shiva will be observed at the family’s home Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9, and Wednesday from 7-9PM. In lieu of flowers contributions to perpetuate Mel’s memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice.