Melvin K. Brockman April 30, 2024

Mel Brockman was born on September 11,1929, in Chelsea, Massachusetts. He was the only child of Abraham and Reva Brockman. He was married to Hope Brockman for 47 wonderful years, until her passing. They had six sons and daughters-in-law: Jay Brockman and Jean Ketcham; Robert and Marjie Brockman; and Reed and Larisa Brockman. They also had 8 grandchildren: Dylan, Abby, Sam, Marissa, Jenna, Inna, Aaron and Julia.

Growing up in Chelsea, Mel always loved sports, but weighing ninety pounds in high school made it difficult. Mel would say, with his typical self-deprecating humor, the football coach did him a favor by cutting him on the first day of tryouts, as he soon discovered his big passion was for table tennis.

He attended the University of Iowa. When he arrived, he heard about a champion ping pong player. In the spring of his freshman year, he would finally meet him in the school tournament. As you would expect, they met in the finals and Mel would go on to win. Mel would say it was the only medal he ever won.

When Mel was 20 years old when he graduated from Iowa and that year the Korean War broke out. As he was in the ROTC program at Iowa, he was activated into the Air Force in 1953 as a 2nd Lieutenant and then became First Lieutenant.

After his time in the service, Mel attended Tufts Dental School. At the end of four years, Mel was number 3 in a class of ninety dentists, and then opened a dentistry practice in Canton, had two sons, returned to school and started an orthodontics practice just as he had his third son, opening offices in Canton and Westwood. Mel also became part of the Tufts Orthodontics faculty.

Mel lived in Canton for 63 years. He straightened thousands of teeth over many generations, and, with his incredible memory, could readily recall every one of his patients (as well as a bottomless well of sports and music trivia). He has always stayed close with all his friends, be they from Chelsea, Iowa, Tufts Dental and Orthodontics programs, the Tufts faculty, his other dental colleagues, neighbors in Canton or from Temple Beth Abraham (where he was a founding member), or his friends from the Brightview community (both the residents and staff).He will always be remembered for his incredible patience, his wonderful sense of humor and his ability to both listen and tell a story.

Services will take place on Sunday May 5,2024 at 1:45PM. Evryone will meet behind the administration building at Sharon Memorial Park. Donations in Melvins Memory may be made to a charity of your own choice. Shiva will be held at the Brightview Senior Living following services Sunday May 5th, 3-5 PM. Monday may 6th At the home of Rob & Marjie Brockman, 3-5PM & 7-9PM. Tuesday May 7th at the home Reed & Larisa Brockman, 3-5PM & 7-9PM.