RIP Iago

[Scarpia]

The following was posted by Ralph on CMG:

I regret to report the death of Mel Merkel on 16 July in Las Vegas. Below is an email I just received from a close friend of Mel's:

Hi Ralph,

I just wanted to tell you that Mel Merkel passed away July 16, 2009 while he was watching TV and holding the remote in his hands.

Since we last communicated when he had his foot amputated, I am happy to say he had no more serious illnesses.

He went to a cardiologist at UCLA hospital who was head of the heart department for his checkups. That doctor made life better for Mel and understood just how to treat him. They told each other jokes and communicated by email. Whatever that doctor said was the law for Mel and he could always bring Mel out of one of his blue funks. God bless him!

[Florestan]

May God have mercy upon his soul! R. I. P!

[vandermolen]

Very sorry to hear this sad news.

[david johnson]

 

dj

[Herman]

That's sad.

He should be commended for getting the best out of a bad deal.

[matti]

"passed away July 16, 2009 while he was watching TV and holding the remote in his hands."

Sad news, but his departure must have been mercifully quick.

[Holden]

This is incredibly sad news for me and I feel quite 'gutted' about it. I've been with Mel on a number of forums over the years and while his curmudgeonly and uncompromising approach upset many people, it was a mark of his honesty of character and his intentions to stick with his beliefs. After the amputation he started to mellow out a bit but was still prepared to stick to his guns.

I shared a number of e-mails and PMs with Mel where he gave me great advice that was also an indication of his generosity of spirit. This was a man who heard Toscanini conduct live and could also add many other of the great luminaries of classical music to his pantheon of the live performances he attended.

One of the works we discussed at length was the Verdi Requiem and in particular the HvK/La Scala Milan film by Henri Cloussot which he considered one of the best ever performances of this great piece of choral music. I've since slipped this into my PC/DVD and it is playing as I type and when my tears start to flow at the 'Recordare' I am certain that Mel's good works will have been entered into the account book of whatever spiritual resting place he believed in and currently resides.

Mel, it was great to know you and if this serves in any way as a eulogy it is the least you are due. I was in a small country town with 100 11 year olds when you passed on. The name of the town was Longreach. You reached out over the internet to me. Rest happily my friend.

[Harry]

Indeed, this is sad to hear. Sharp as a razor, with a witty mind. I was always amused reading his diatribes against members on GMG, and of course against me, which I did not mind in the least.

[Aeolian harp]

I did not know Iago but would like to add my respects.

[springrite]

I knew about Mel's passing and did not mention it here in any of my posts because I did not want to risk the chance of a response that may be unbecoming. My relationship with Mel is a story that is worth writing about, which I did write and it will be in my upcoming book. Our relationship started with him attacking me several times on a forum, developed when he was hospitalised near where I lived for a major operation and me visiting him in the hospital and then in his home when he left the hospital against doctor's advise right after the major surgery. From then on it has developed into a friendship of the very first level. I am proud to be his friend and feel previleged to have known him. His passing is very sad news for me personally. We have been in e-mail contact after I returned to China and, I have been his confidant when he is down. He is one of the true genuine person one sees rarely. He has a warm heart. I treated him like family and he did likewise to me. I will miss him.

I remember knocking on his door. He opened the door after about two minutes, surprised to see me, for he did not think anyone can find him. I asked him why he "escaped" from the hospital in the middle of the night 2 days after heart surgery. He said: "I don't think I can make it this time. I don't want to die in a hospital. I refuse to die without music close to me!" So I stayed for a few days and we listened to Wagner, Schubert, Beethoven, Verdi, etc. His spirits became better and he began to be more cooperative with medical treatment. That was about then years ago.

I have been listening to some of Mel's favorite music lately. I know he is also listening and it makes him happy.

[hildegard]

I am very sad and very sorry to hear about Iago's passing. I hope and pray that he is at peace.

[DavidW]

Mel's brutal honesty was always refreshing, and he certainly made cmg a lively forum.  Without his in your face "this is my opinion DAMNIT!" approach to posting I might have left the forums before I became obsessed with cd collecting.  He'll be missed.

[Dr. Dread]

RIP. 

[Bogey]

Loved talking baseball on the side with Mel.  He knew the game in and out and shared some wonderful stories that always entertained me at this end.  RIP, Mel.

[SonicMan46]

Sad news indeed -    I always enjoyed his posts and especially his stories about the 'live' performances he had attended, particularly when living on the east coast - thanks to those who knew him more personally and the remembrances - 

[Szykneij]

Loved talking baseball on the side with Mel.  He knew the game in and out and shared some wonderful stories that always entertained me at this end.  RIP, Mel.

Same here. It's too bad his beloved Mets couldn't provide him with a little more positive excitement in his final years. Very sad to hear he's gone.

[Todd]

Terrible, sad news.  I miss his posts already.

[Sergeant Rock]

So...our beloved Cuddles is gone. Sad news indeed. I have to say, though, that despite most everyone's wish that he RIP, I really doubt he is in peace but complaining bitterly about the Mozart muzak. If he's in heaven he's sure to hear Mozart constantly since Mozart is the most heavenly composer.  0:)

If he went to the other place, well, what more diabolical punishment than a listening room built for one with no exit, a room that plays nothing but the Marriage of Figaro 24/eternity  

Sarge

[karlhenning]

So...our beloved Cuddles is gone. Sad news indeed. I have to say, though, that despite most everyone's wish that he RIP, I really doubt he is in peace but complaining bitterly about the Mozart muzak. If he's in heaven he's sure to hear Mozart constantly since Mozart is the most heavenly composer.  0:)

He'll also meet some members of the "Henning Mob," so Paradise will be somewhat compromised for him 

[ChamberNut]

I am shocked and saddened by this news.    Iago "Cuddles" was always engaging and fun to banter with on the forum.  Definitely a shoot from the hip, brutally honest fellow.

May he rest in peace, and have a continuous loop of classical music playing up there in heaven....with the occasional Bach and Mozart interlude in there too!  0:)

You will be missed Iago!