Life and Island Times July 6 2016 – A True Man
This one is from 2014.
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Marlow woke early this morning to find his smart phone calendar reminding him of the day’s scheduled events. Tuesday July 15 Poker at Sheldon’s, it read.
This scribe was a newbie at this weekly event with only five years attendance in this quarter century institution. It was and is a fascinating event with self-made men occupying the seats playing cards, swapping stories and jokes, and endlessly recycling money amongst the players.
Last Wednesday, Marlow paid him a visit for lunch and some catch up chatter. After munching Salute burgers, they were eating fresh mangoes from Shel’s back yard tree, when Sheldon sprang his trap. Marlow was asked to pen his friend’s obituary. This honor was accepted, and plans were made for Marlow to visit the next day for a drafting and approval session.
Dutifully appearing at the appointed time, Marlow was turned away – Sheldon was having a bad day. Without his friend’s input, he began his task with a shell outline and the data he had gleaned during many nights of poker in the hopes of bringing over a finished product over when Sheldon felt able to review it.
The poker table will be shy one player henceforth. Sheldon, one of the last true men of his generation, passed away the following Sunday morning.
The following Monday morning found Marlow at his friend’s house helping Shel’s children draft his obituary. When they were done, it was read aloud for final approval. All of them were crying when the last words were uttered.
SHELDON B. MERMELSTEIN
Sheldon B. Mermelstein, of Key West, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, July 13, 2014. He was born on August 11, 1923, in Scranton, Pa., to Aaron and Esther Mermelstein. He grew up in Scranton, interrupting his studies at Penn State University to serve in World War II. He is survived by his wife of sixty-three years, Deborah, his children, Ann, David (Dana), and Jane, and his grandchildren Aaron and Jacob Mermelstein. He is also survived by his loving caregivers, Laura and George Escobar.
Mr. Mermelstein was proud to have served as a combat engineer under General Patton with the 94th Infantry Division, and was awarded a Purple Heart, five battle stars, and the Distinguished Unit Citation. In 2011 he was honored for his World War II service by the government of France, which awarded him the Legion of Honor, that country’s highest honor.
After the war, he received his degree from Penn State in forestry and wood engineering. He married Deborah Ann Serling and lived in York and Wilkes-Barre, Pa. He founded Phoenix Manufacturing, a truck-body manufacturer, in Nanticoke, Pa, which supplied ambulances to Israel and numerous other countries. He and Deborah made their home in Key West for more than twenty years.
Mr. Mermelstein gave generously of his time, and he was active in various charitable and cultural organizations in Wilkes-Barre and Key West. He served on the Board of Trustees of Pennsylvania State University, Wilkes-Barre campus, and the Boards of Temple Israel in Wilkes-Barre and the Wilkes-Barre United Way. In Key West, he served on the Boards of the Key West Arts and Historical Society, and Hospice and VNA of Key West. He supported numerous other individuals and organizations with his time and wisdom.
Mr. Mermelstein was a member of several fraternal organizations, including the Shriners and the Masons, where he attained the 33rd degree.
He lived his life with the highest degree of integrity, and he faced adversity with dignity. He delighted in the love of his wife Deborah, their children and especially their grandchildren, all of whom were with him in his final days. May his soul be bound up in the bonds of life.
Funeral services will be held at Temple B’nai Zion on Tuesday July 15, at 10 a.m. Interment will be at Key West Cemetery.
Contributions in Sheldon’s memory may be made to Temple B’nai Zion and the Hospice and VNA of Key West.
A True Man and his Class A
(courtesy Key West Citizen 2011)
Copyright © 2016 From My Isle Seat
