Melvin Douglas Tate, Jr. was born on Thursday, April 27, 1950 in Brooklyn, New York to the late Melvin Douglas Tate, Sr. and Ruth Robertson Tate. He was the last male to carry on the Tate name. Melvin succumbed to his illness on Monday, February 16, 2015 after a valiant fight.

The family moved to Queens, New York and he was educated in the New York City Public School System. He attended P.S. 45; Shimer Junior High School; John Adams High School; and York College. He also studied dance at Fred Astaire Dance Studio.

Melvin accepted Christ at a young age and was baptized at Calvary Baptist Church, Jamaica, New York by the late Rev. Dr. Walter S. Pinn.

As a teen, Melvin was quite an entrepreneur and very business oriented. He was gifted to design and build dog houses, pigeon coops and he also made shoeshine boxes to earn extra money shining shoes on Jamaica Avenue. His bank account continued to increase as he earned money shoveling snow and delivering newspapers.

Melvin was affectionately called “Buddy” by his sisters and close family members. He had an outgoing personality and was well-liked by his many friends. He had a very recognizable laugh that would soar throughout the block.

Over the years, he worked for Long Term Parking at Kennedy Airport; New York City Department of Parks; and New York City Department of Sanitation. In 1972, Melvin married Brenda Ray and three children were born from this union: Latisha, Renita, and Kalena.

He leaves to cherish in his memory his devoted mother, Ruth Tate; his daughters, Latisha, Renita, and Kalena, his sisters; Denise; Vanessa, Greta and brother-in-law, Alton, Sr. Six grandchildren, Carlos, Cedric, Kameesha, Bryce; Kyrese and Justin and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.