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Eulogy for Mel Carr
 May 30, 2004
Presented by John Deitz
Past President of the Long Island Ravens MC
at his funeral service

We are today remembering and honoring the memory of Mel Carr as a family member, colleague, and friend. For the Long Island Ravens, we remember Mel as a brother, not a bond of blood, but a bond of choice.

My name is John Deitz, and I am a Past President of the Long Island Ravens. We are a social and fraternal organization of gay men bonded together for fellowship, mutual support, and charitable outreach to the community.

Mel first became associated with us in January of 1995 when he was made an Honorary Associate Member for his past participation with the Long Island Spuds, a predecessor organization to which both Mel and Paul had given many years of active support.

In September of 1995, Mel requested to join the club as a full Brother. It is our requirement that prospective new members, prior to a vote of acceptance, enter into a six-month period of formal study and active participation in the affairs of the club. Evidence of our already developing respect for Mel was that the club waived this requirement.

In December, 1995, Mel was inducted as a full Brother into the Long Island Ravens MC.

Just six months later, as further evidence of our regard and love for Mel, he was made our Pledgemaster – one of the most important and respected positions in the club, as this person is in charge of guiding and teaching prospective members in the values and polity of our organization. He held that position until 2001, through three successive classes of prospective members, and the customary limit for holding that office.

In 2001, he was elected as Financial Secretary, and re-elected in 2003. Not only was Mel respected for his competent fulfillment of the duties of the office, but also for his wise and steady participation on the Executive Committee of the club.

A recitation of the formal offices Mel held only touches the surface of our respect and love for Mel. For example, we hold with great fondness Mel’s legendary compulsive event planning and his sometime overpowering attention to detail. If he was in charge of an activity – whether a party, camping trip, or charity event – it DID run smoothly! There could be no other way. And he always took our sometime razzing with great humor.

Occasionally during the course of our lives a person surfaces who, with his words and actions, uncommonly lives and embodies the goals of the Ravens. In recognition that Mel was one of these special persons, in 2002 he was awarded one of the most prestigious honors the club gives it members – the Leatherman Award.

We honored Mel for this, which today summarizes our love and respect:

We celebrate today all we have shared with Mel. God be with him as he continues on his journey. May the love that is in our hearts be a bond that unites us forever wherever we may be. Good-bye and Amen.