Philanthropist Mel Haber passes away at 80 years old
Coachella Valley business owner and philanthropist Mel Haber has passed away. KESQ and CBS Local 2 confirmed his passing from a longtime employee of his. Haber died early Tuesday morning at the age 80. He was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer a few months ago.
Haber’s funeral services take place November 3 at 9:30 a.m.
Haber came to California in June of 1974. While vacationing in Palm Springs one weekend from Los Angeles, Mel was taken to the Ingleside Inn, where he felll in love with the property and decided to buy it within 15 minutes, according to his profile on the Ingleside Inn’s website.
“I was convinced it should be a classic hotel and restaurant…and elegant oasis,” Haber had said. He spent about $500,000 restoring the historical hotel and grounds, and he added his own restaurant to the hotel called, Melvyn’s.
According to the Ingleside Inn’s website, Haber was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and began his professional life by entering the Fashion Institute of Technology and Design. Working his way through school, Mel was employed at various resorts in the Catskill Mountains and sold women’s shoes on New York’s fashionable Fifth Avenue. Mel’s first business success was as president of Wallfrin Industries, which manufactures automotive novelties. Wallfrin grew to become one of the largest novelty manufacturers in the automotive industry.
Longtime Melvyn’s Maitre D’ Brian Ellis said Haber was the best boss he could ask for.
“He’s a wonderful man to work for. He’s a man of his word, everything was on a hand shake. We didn’t have to write anything down and it was an honor to work for him for 42 years,” Ellis said.
Mel has since been given a star on the Palm Springs, Walk of Fame, is an integral part of local charities including the “Angel View Foundation” & “SafeHouse of the Desert” and is a celebrated author of two books, “Bedtime Stories” and “Palm Springs A La Carte”.
The Palm Springs Walk of Stars said Haber was honored with the 70th Star, located at 123 North Palm Canyon Drive, on October 24, 1996.
KESQ News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 is meeting with friends and associates of Haber on Tuesday. We’ll have more information coming up tonight at 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
