Melvin Baskin's Obituary
Melvin Harold Baskin, 78, of Cornelius, died peacefully at his home cradled in his wifeʼs arms and surrounded by family on July 14th, 2022, following a nine month battle with Cancer. He was born on March 4, 1944, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Mel was adopted by his Foster Parents, Harold & Helen Baskin, on April 3rd, 1944, and resided in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Mel studied Business at Jackson Community College in Jackson, MI, and had over 23 years of management experience in the automotive parts supply industry, with the last 18 years at the Divisional Management and Corporate Executive Levels. Mel was Executive Vice President of Nelson Metal Products Corporation, a leading automotive supplier. During his tenure, his responsibilities included the development and implementation of programs that positioned Nelson as the recognized leader in the market segments they served. Nelson had been recognized with numerous awards including the General Motors Mark of Excellence Award, Ford's Q-1 Award, as well as Ford Total Quality Excellence Award which is the highest recognition awarded from Ford Motor Company.
Prior to joining the Nelson organization, Mel spent over 18 years with Hayes- Albion Corporation. He was Vice President of Marketing for their die casting group. Previously, Mel was Group Vice President of Marketing for Paramount Casting Division and LiteMetal Casting Division of Jackson, Michigan.
He was a past Chairman of the Michigan Area Regional Group of the North American Die Casting Association. In 1999, Mel retired from Nelson Metal Products. His retirement did not last long as he could only play so much golf. At that time, American Metal and Plastic of Grand Rapids, MI, needed someone to manage their business and he became General Manager. This was supposed to be a 6 month employment that ended up being 13 years. Mel fully retired in 2019. Mel hated airplanes and long flights but in spite of that traveled to the UK, Ireland, Belgium and most of Europe. When he met his wife, Annie, that changed and he flew almost every weekend to see her in Florida until they were married on January 23, 2016. Mel was an avid golfer who mastered 3 hole-in-ones. He belonged to his beloved Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, MI. During his last golfing event at Blythefield, he and his good friend, Jim Minix, won the 2017 Menʼs Invitational Flight Championship. He was also a member of Fiddlerʼs Creek Country Club in Naples, FL, as well as The Peninsula Club in Cornelius, N.C.
He is survived by his loving wife, Annie, and his precious dog, Mischa. Six daughters; Nichole Camacho, and her husband Mark of Jackson, MI; Kyle Mileschkowsky and her husband, Troy, of Sand Creek, MI; Melanie Baskin of Memphis, TN; Christine OʼReilly of Sarasota, FL; Laurie Smith and her life partner, Chip Whitcomb, of Sunapee, NH; Lisa Gilmore and her husband, Richie, of Cornelius, NC; and son, Steven Creamer and his life partner, Moira Croteau, of Keene, NH; 15 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held at St. Mark Catholic Church located at 14740 Stumptown Road, Huntersville, NC, on Tuesday, July 19th at 1:00 p.m. For those unable to attend the Funeral Mass in person, to watch the Mass live go to www.stmarknc.org. Click on the "Watch Mass Live" icon. Broadcast will begin at 12:55 PM.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Blythefield Country Club at 5801 Northland Dr. NE, Belmont, MI, on Saturday, July 30th from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of the following charities: Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation https://www.spectrumhealth.org/foundation/helen-devos-childrens-hospital Martin Truex, Jr. Foundation www.martintruexjrfoundation.org/donate Dale Jr. Foundation http://thedalejrfoundation.org/donate
James Funeral Home of Huntersville, NC is serving the Baskin family and online condolences can be made to jamesfuneralhomelkn.com.
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