Melvin P. Ogrin
March 19, 1923 - April 29, 2015
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Melvin P. Ogrin
March 19, 1923 - April 29, 2015
Obituary
Melvin p. Ogrin, age 92, died april 29, 2015 after a short illness at his home in boca raton florida where he lived for the past 30 years. A native of charleston, west virginia, he grew up in his family’s general merchandise store, the charleston dept. Store that was started by his father in 1921. Mel graduated from charleston high school in 1940, attended salem college on a music scholarship and ended up transferring to the university of arizona, where he received degrees in radio electronics and physics.
During wwii, he served in the army signal corp working in communications. Mel came back to charleston in the late 40’s to manage the family business. He also became active in real estate ventures and oil and gas development. His real passion in life was music. He was a charter member of the charleston symphony orchestra and performed with them as a violinist until 1980. After his late wife gloria passed away in 1984, he moved to florida where he remained active in real estate and music. He continued to perform in several community orchestras and chamber music ensembles throughout south florida until the age of 91!
Mel is survived by his wife, rita; his sons, mark and barry and daughter-in-law eileen who all reside in boca raton, florida; four grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
Graveside service will take place at 2:00 p.M. Sunday, may 3, 2015 at b’nai jacob eternal cemetery, south charleston, wv with rabbi victor urecki officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to b’nai jacob synagogue in charleston, west virginia and hospice by the sea, boca raton, florida.
You may send condolences to the family using the send condolences button above.
Funeral services will be handled by barlow-bonsall funeral home.
17 responses to Melvin P. Ogrin
King Family says:
August 10, 2021
Location: Ohio
I Did Not Know Mr. Ogrin But I Know How Hard It Can Be To Lose A Loved One In Death So I Wanted To Say I Am Very Sorry For Your Loss. The Scripture That Has Given Me Comfort At Times Like This Is The One Found At Revelation 21:4 That Says, “And He Will Wipe Out Every Tear From Their Eyes, And Death Will Be No More, Neither Will Mourning Nor Outcry Nor Pain Be Anymore. The Former Things Have Passed Away.” So God Has Promised That In The Very Near Future We Will Never Have To Experience The Pain Associated With Death Anymore. I Pray That This Gives The Family Some Comfort During This Difficult Time.
Frances Houston Layton says:
August 10, 2021
Relationship: Friend
Location: Lewisburg West Virginia
Dear Ogrin Family, I’M Sorry To Be So Late Sending Condolences To You After Reading Melvin’S Obituary In The Charleston Gazette. I Remember Him Well Though It’S Been Many Years Since I Have Lived In Charleston. I Read Evelyn Rhodes Smith’S “Remembering Mel Ogrin” And I Can Only Say Amen To That. He Was A Good Friend Of My Parents, Richmond And Margaret Houston, And Helped Mother, A Potter, Many Times When She Had Trouble Wiring Her Lamps, Or For That Matter Any Other Problem She Might Have. Always Helpful, Always Happy To See Us, Such A Good Man.
Victor Feldbrill And Mae Bernstein says:
August 10, 2021
Relationship: Friends
Location: Toronto Canada And Manhasset Ny New York
Dear Rita,
We Just Received The News About Mel (May 10) And Find It Hard To Believe Our Thoughts Are With You. Please Convey Our Condolences To The Rest Of The Family.
Victor And |Mae
Mindy Noble says:
August 10, 2021
Relationship: Friend
Location: Fort Lauderdale Florida
Dear Mark, Barry, Eileen And Rita, And Jennifer,
I Am So Sorry To Hear Of Mel’S Passing, He Was Always So Kind To Me When I Was In His Florida Home And Treated Me Like Family. He Had An Infectious Grin, A Hearty Laugh And He Loved To Tell Stories. I Am Sure He Will Be Sadly Missed By All Of You.
Debbie Donald says:
August 10, 2021
Relationship: Previous Charleston Dept . Store Employee
Location: Charleston West Virginia
Just Wanted To Say That I Treasure The Memories I Have Of Mel Coming Into The Store When I Worked There. He Always Made Us Laugh. After I Left The Store He Wrote A Nice Note Thanking Me And Showing Appreciation For A Litle Gift I Had Given Him. Since My Time I Have Heard A Wonderful Story Of Him Helping A Lady And Gentleman To Purchase Flannel Shirts When It Was Not The Time Of Year For Such Apparel. He Got A Worker To Bring Them From The Storage Room . They Were So Impressed With His Help And Have Never Forgotten Him. Mel Was A True Businessman Of The Finest Quality. We Remember Him Fondly.