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Broken Pipe... We Mourn the Passing of Legendary Albany, NY, "The Smoker", Mel Feldman

Louis F Carbone | Published on 5/12/2021
Broken Pipe...  We Mourn the Passing of Albany, NY "The Smoker" Legend, Mel Feldman...

On behalf of the entire NY Pipe Club, please allow me to extend our deepest condolences to Mel's family.  We all knew Mel from either the historic shop in Albany, NY or from spending countless hours with him at the NY Pipe Shows over the years.  We absolutely loved Mel and are so very saddened by the news of his passing.  I assure you that Mel's memory will live on with our Club and we raise many bowls in his honor.  We'll have the pleasure of smoking his wonderful tobacco blends and from pipes we have purchased from him over the decades.  He will be sorely missed.

To Mel's family, please accept our deepest condolences and we grieve with you as we remember him with love.


Melvin "Buddy" Feldman
1931 - 2021



Feldman, Melvin "Buddy" ALBANY Melvin "Buddy" Feldman passed peacefully away at home at the age of 89, on Monday, April 5, 2021. He was born in Yonkers, N.Y. on July 24, 1931, to Samuel and Shirley Feldman. He moved to Albany at a young age and attended the Albany Public school system. He served in the United States Navy from 1951 to 1954 and served during the Korean War aboard the USS Coral Sea. Mel met the love of his Barbara Noonan and they were married in 1954. Mel worked for the state of New York as a draftsman and also for the Albany Regional Planning Commission until he bought the tobacco store "The Smoker." The Smoker became his passion and he was a well-known tobacconist, with many loyal customers. He so loved his Saturdays at the store where his customers would spend the day sitting and smoking in his shop. He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Barbara; his children, Lori (Frank) Lasch, Cheryl (Peter Doody) and Michael. Mel was the much loved "Pa" to his four granddaughters, Bethany Lasch, Aimee Lasch, Sarah Doody and Victoria Doody and one great-grandson, Jackson White. Mel is also survived by his twin sister, Barbara Engle of California. Mel enjoyed many hours with his cat, Sadie, by his side. The family would like to thank Hospice of Albany for all of the care given to him and his family, especially his nurse, Marita. Due to COVID-19, the service will be for family only. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Community Hospice of Albany County. To leave a condolence message for the family, please visit www.levinememorialchapel.com