Randy Jay Mermelstein, 38, died Tuesday, Feb. 6, 1996, in St. Louis Park, Minn., after a
                           courageous battle with melanoma cancer.

                           Born and raised in Akron, he graduated from Firestone High School in 1976 and attended the University of Akron.  He became a chef and started his profession in Akron, and moved to California and became a well-known chef working in the San Diego area.  He became the house chef for the well-known yachtsman William Koch, who won the America Cup in 1992.  At the time of his death he was executive chef for the Knollwood Homes in St. Louis Park, Minn., a Jewish retirement complex, where he became well known for his kosher-style cuisine and received the Employee of the Year award.

Randy leaves his wife of 16 1/2 years, Leoma Marie Mermelstein; father and mother, Herbert and Marian Mermelstein of Akron; sisters, Sheryl Friedman of Orange, Conn., Renee Kohn of Irving, Texas; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at the Gordon Memorial Home TODAY, Feb. 8, at 2 p.m. Interment at Rose Hill Cemetery.  The family will observe memorial week at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Mermelstein.  In lieu of other remembrances, contributions may be made to the Cancer Society or your favorite charity. (Gordon, 836-7989.)