Melvin F. Smith

WORCESTER - Melvin F. Smith, 92, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Notre Dame Healthcare in Worcester. Born in Boston and raised in Malden, Melvin was the son of Samuel Smith and Rose (Garber) Smith. Mel was predeceased by his beloved brother, William (Bill) Smith.

Mel spent more than twenty years in Randolph with his first wife, Carole (Mendelsohn) Smith, several years in Franklin with his second wife Anice Smith, and ultimately made Worcester his home for the past decade, residing at The Willows with Anice.

Mel is survived by his second wife of 36 years, Anice (Brown) Smith; his sister, Judy Kaplan of Waltham; and his four children from his first marriage to Carole: Lisa Gossels and her husband, Warren, of Framingham; Kim Ben‑Israel and her husband, Shuki, of Ashland; Larry Smith and his wife, Debbie Levine‑Smith, of Ashland; and Neil Smith and his wife, Andrea Hillel, of Waltham. He also leaves his stepsons, David Ginsburg and his partner, Jen, of Worcester, and Jamie Ginsburg and his wife, Lisa, of Worcester; as well as his many grandchildren.

Mel attended Northfield Mount Hermon - a college preparatory boarding school in Gill, MA. He then graduated Syracuse University with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Mel enlisted in the United States Navy, where he honorably served for more than six years.Professionally, Mel had a car wash with his brother, Bill, in Dorchester for many years. Then, he became a stockbroker with Bache & Company in Chestnut Hill. In 1971, he and Bill, opened and operated a car wash in Weymouth and later expanded to Hyde Park, where he worked 7 days a week to provide for his first family. Their full service car washes attracted customers across eastern Massachusetts. Their more than 16‑year partnership marked a notable innovation in the industry: together, they were the first to introduce touch-less car wash technology in the United States.

Mel was a gentleman as well as a very social and friendly person. He enjoyed reading, swimming, playing cards, sculpturing and calligraphy. He was an avid softball player and an excellent tennis player. He was a loyal follower of Syracuse basketball and loved his annual reunions with his friends from Northfield Mount Hermon. He trained and loved his 2 parakeets as well as loved all dogs.

A longtime member of the former Temple Beth Am in Randolph, Mel faithfully ran the temple's bingo program for many years and treasured the community and camaraderie it provided.

Mel was honored and remembered at a private graveside service at B'nai Brith Cemetery in Worcester on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Melvin's memory to prostate cancer research or to a veterans' organization of your choice.