Mel Farberman, 67

Mel Farberman died on July 30. He was 67.

Born in Brooklyn, he lived there nearly half his life until moving to Hewlett 31 years ago.

His wife, Hollis Farberman said: “He was a wonderful man whose life was built around his family and his work. He was devoted to me and to his children, Bradley and Shari.”

He spent most of his life working in the field of education: as an English teacher at Lincoln High School in Brooklyn and, as an English teacher and chairman at Benjamin Cardozo High School in Bayside, Queens.

“He really had a wonderful, expansive career in education,” said Jackie Kucker, who also taught English at Cardozo High. “We ate lunch together and he became my boss. He was an exceptional person, extremely bright, kind and dedicated to his family. He will always hold a very special place in my heart. I loved going to the theater with him. He was a remarkable person.”

His career also included serving as chairman of the English Department at Bay Shore High School, mentoring new teachers throughout New York City as part of the Superintendent’s Office and the city’s Board of Education and teaching at Brooklyn College and Touro College.

“He held his students to a high standard and was always looking for ways to improve his inline instruction,” said Dr. Elaine Nikolakakos, an associate professor at Touro College who worked with Farberman. “He had a kind and caring way of dealing with students and colleagues, and was a true gentleman. He will be greatly missed.”

Mel never disappointed his family and they never disappointed him.  He was the “go to” person in the family whenever anyone needed anything. “Simply by observing my father, I learned so much – to be resilient, thoughtful, open-minded, and optimistic. He was a great teacher, and I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to follow in his footsteps,” Bradley said.

Both Bradley and Shari followed Mel into the world of education. Shari is now a guidance counselor and Bradley has been an English teacher. Both also followed Mel’s love of the written word and Bradley is now a music journalist. Mel enjoyed traveling, first with friends and then with his family. At one time he owned a travel agency in Lynbrook and also worked for a travel tour operator. His children say he shared the love of travel with them and they have both traveled extensively. 

Mel was also a volunteer for the Multiple Sclerosis Society and at the JCC. Everyone he met and worked with appreciated his warmth and consideration. He was remembered as everything from a gentleman to a mensch. He was a caring and devoted father, husband, brother, son, uncle and friend. He is survived by his wife, Hollis, Bradley and his wife, Alina, Shari and her boyfriend, Ari, and his sister Nancy and her sons.