Mel Harris' Obituary
Mel Harris of Miami Beach, Florida passed away on September 1, 2023, due to complications from Parkinson's Disease. He was 83 years old. Born on April 2, 1940, Mel was a proud life-long Miami Beach resident. An entrepreneur in insurance and other business ventures, he was an enthusiastic supporter of numerous South Florida charitable causes including the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Diabetes Research Institute, was a Grand Founder of The University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Founding Sponsor for the Women of Tomorrow and Ambassador for Mount Sinai Medical Center of Miami Beach. Mel was also a Founding Sponsor of the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., Founder for the National The Parkinson's Foundation, Honorary Chair of the Yeshiva University, Sy Syms School of Business, Board of Trustees for the Hebrew Home at Riverdale, Endowment Contributor to New York University, and recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award. Mel is survived by his wife of 50 years Fran; his daughters Ginger Harris-Dontzin, Nicole Goldberg (Jeffrey) and Jamie Jo Harris; and his grandchildren Cole Dontzin and Jake, Riley and Logan Goldberg. The family welcomes contributions in memory of Mel Harris to The Parkinson's Foundation, www.parkinson.org. Arrangements by Levitt-Weinstein Blasberg-Rubin-Zilbert (305) 932-2700.
What’s your fondest memory of Mel?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mel?
Share a story where Mel's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mel you’ll never forget.
How did Mel make you smile?