The close-knit enclave of Kew Gardens suffered a tremendous loss this past Tuesday morning with the untimely passing of longtime resident “Rabbi Dr.” Yaakov Meltzer z”l. Reb Yaakov, 64, was involved with the Chevra Hatzolah of Queens since its early years, and stayed on for more than 35 years as a beloved volunteer medic. He, as well, assisted in the work on the eruv and was an aide with the local chevrah kadisha. “He was a wonderful, active man filled with care and simchas ha’chayim,” said Hatzolah senior paramedic Eli Rowe. “He was a tremendous talmid chacham.”