Melvin E. Haggai, 82; Former PPBA Coach

Melvin E. Haggai, a longtime Pacific Palisades resident and Palisades Pony Baseball Association coach, passed away February 21 in Byron Center, Michigan, at the age of 82. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Mel joined the Army Air Force when he was 18. He served as a staff sergeant and was sent to England, where he flew in a B-17 as a top-turret gunner. He flew 30 missions over Germany. After the war, Mel returned to Grand Rapids and entered into a wholesale produce business with his two older brothers, James and George, and later his youngest brother, Richard. They served many stores and hotels in northern Michigan. Later, Mel became sole owner of Haggai Brothers, Inc., and continued operating the business with Richard’s help. In 1959, Mel and his wife Audrey moved their family to the Marquez area of the Palisades, where he continued operating Haggai Brothers, servicing stores and restaurants in the Palisades, Malibu and Santa Monica. Mel was an avid baseball fan and enjoyed coaching numerous PPBA teams (in the Orioles organization) until he retired in 1986. He and Audrey then moved to Lake Havasu, where he continued to coach Little League and later was an umpire. In 2004, after 15 years of dry heat, the Haggais moved back to Grand Rapids to cool off. Melvin loved music, both jazz and swing, often jitterbugging to the tunes. He and Audrey kept in touch with their many friends in the Palisades and Lake Havasu, and made a trip to visit them shortly before his death. Mel was preceded in death by his mother Adele, brothers James and George, and sister Betty. He is survived by his loving wife and partner of 60 years Audrey (Senna); sons Dan (companion Robin), Greg (wife Melisa), Gary (Karla), Brian and Tod; six adored grandsons (Ronniejohn, Scott and Sean) and granddaughters (Shawnna and twins Casandra and Christina); his brother Richard; specially loved cousin Leigh Basler; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. In lieu of flowers, Mel requested that donations be made in his name to the Guiding Light Mission, c/o Vanessa Daniels, 255 S. Division Ave., Grand Rapids, MI 49503. A memorial gathering was held February 24 at the Pederson Funeral Home in Rockford, Michigan. Military honors were under the auspices of the U.S. Army.