Melvin “Mel” Zuckerman was born on May 23, 1928 in Hackensack, New Jersey, the only child of Shirley and Norman Zuckerman. Mel attended New York University and got a job as an accountant upon his graduation. In November 1952, he met his Enid Slotkin and married him seven months later. In 1958, Enid and Mel left the East Coast and moved to Tucson, Arizona, where Mel began his career as a homebuilder. He was energetic, ambitious, and quickly gained respect in the community as a knowledgeable businessman. However, Mel’s physical health suffered from the stresses of his career.He was overweight, inactive and in poor health. Enid also had some health issues during this time, but after his recovery, I started reading up on the benefits of his healthy diet and exercise. When she pitched to Mel the idea of ​​opening a “fat farm” to help others get and stay healthy, he laughed. Changed my life. A lifelong smoker, Norman was diagnosed with lung cancer. By the time he gave up the habit, it was too late. Norman died six months later. In honor of his father, Mel is determined to make the second half of his life better than the first, and is determined to improve his health before he hits his 50th birthday. With Enid’s encouragement, Mel checked into a spa in California, where he spent four weeks. During her stay, Mel learned to eat right and exercise, which changed her life. This was his “A-Ha” moment.” On the drive home from California, Mel tells Enid that he wants to help motivate others to do the same. On a spring morning, Enid and Mel first set foot on Double U Ranch in Tucson. Just 18 months after purchasing the property, Enid and Mel opened the doors to Canyon Ranch. The business slowly picked up momentum and eventually became a huge success. Expanding first to Lenox, Massachusetts, where Mel and Enid built their second residence, they then opened multiple health spas. Canyon Ranch came to define excellence in the wellness industry, and he committedt his life to the philosophies he preached. He worked out daily at his gym at Canyon Ranch and enjoyed healthy meals prepared in his dining room at the resort. First marathon at age 54. He regularly enjoyed quiet hikes in Sabino His Canyon and Mount His Lemmon. Mel’s desire to share principles of health promotion and disease prevention inspired the establishment of the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona, which opened in 2000. Mel and his family have supported countless charitable causes focused on preventive health and education. , food sustainability, the arts, youth and poverty. Mel is survived by his true love and soulmate, Enid. his two children, Amy and Jay (Stephanie); his grandchildren, Nicole (Ken), Talia, Colton and Riley. his two great-grandchildren, Chloe and Usher. his sister and brother-in-law, Paula and Arthur Mork; His many nieces and nephews and countless friends. A public memorial honoring Mel’s life and legacy will be held on Monday, April 17, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. at the University of Arizona’s Health His Science His Innovation Building in Tucson, Arizona. In lieu of gifts, a memorial fund was established with the Pima County Joint Technical Education District (JTED). The fund will be used to directly support Pima JTED’s new He Mel and Enid Zuckerman Health and Medical High School for students and young people pursuing careers in the medical field. Donations can be sent online to his JTED. https://pimajted.org/j/mel-zuckerman-memorial-donations/ Or contact Thomas Bogart at tbogart@pimajted.com. Arranged by EVERGREEN MORTUARY.