Post by schlager7 on Sept 25, 2011 22:03:29 GMT -6
from a USFCA email...
The USFCA mourns the passing of Arnold Mercado
John,
It is with great sadness that I convey to you the passing of the USFCA past President, Arnold Mercado. Arnold passed away Tuesday, September 13, 2011. At the helm of the USFCA for a number of years he continued the movement for educating fencing coaches in the United States. The next issue of Point in Line will include a final salute for our friend. I encourage you to send sentiments and photos to the editor (klewissa@uccs.edu) to be included. Until then I would like to share some comments from a fellow coach and the mother of a student which express many of our feelings for him.
“I only met Arnold in 2004, my experience as a fencer and coach was enriched by his knowledge, experience, high standards, and willingness to share. His dedication to our Association helped position us for the continued growth and enhanced interest in professional performance that we see in our members.” Walter Green
“Arnold was the fencing coach for my son, Josh Traub, who now fences for the University of Pennsylvania team. Josh, among many other students, had the privilege of being coached by “Maestro” as Arnold was loving known at our school. Maestro taught our kids so much about integrity, hard work, focus, friendship, pride, life skills, self-confidence and putting their best foot forward. Josh traveled with Maestro to a tournament in Atlanta one year believing that he couldn’t fence without Arnold in his corner. He became a friend to our family, a father figure to my children when they needed one and always put the needs of his students ahead of his own even at times at the expense of his own health. In my son’s own words, “What didn’t Maestro teach me?” Indeed, what didn’t this man teach my son? I can’t think of anything. We were privileged to have him in our lives. I am writing to you because I know how much he loved his work with your organization and to share our thoughts with you about Arnold Mercado, one of your own. If every fencing coach makes the impact in a child’s life as Arnold did in my son’s life, our world is a much better place for all of you having been here. I know we are better for Arnold having been with us.” Beckie Fischer
A memorial service is being planned in Miami, FL sometime around the Thanksgiving holiday. This will allow college and graduate students who trained under Maestro the opportunity to return for the service. Hillel Community Day School students and people who were important in Arnold's life will be asked to participate in this service.
Arnold's remains will be laid to rest near his parents in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
Condolences may be sent to:
Richard Mercado
26 Alabama Court
Houston, TX 77027
Donations can be made in Arnold's memory as follows:
1. Peter Westbrook Foundation - notation should be made:
contribution in memory of Arnold Mercado
G.P.O. Box 7554
New York, NY 10116
(212) 459-4538
The funds will be used to provide inner-city school children in New York City with the opportunity to participate in an after-school fencing program that has produced world class competitive fencers; programs that allow kids who would not otherwise be able to compete with academic enrichment in the hope that they can be accepted into private high schools to help them qualify for top colleges and universities; SAT and ACT preparation combined with "Olympic" training and opportunities to help the kids learn to give back to their own communities and make a difference in their own lives.
2. St. John's School - notation should be made:
contribution in memory of Arnold Mercado
2401 Claremont Lane
Houston, TX 77019
Attn: Advancement Office
Arnold worked for many years at St. John's School. His son Richie and daughter-in-law Brenda are currently teachers at St. John's and his two grandsons attend school there. The funds will be earmarked for scholarships.
The USFCA mourns the passing of Arnold Mercado
John,
It is with great sadness that I convey to you the passing of the USFCA past President, Arnold Mercado. Arnold passed away Tuesday, September 13, 2011. At the helm of the USFCA for a number of years he continued the movement for educating fencing coaches in the United States. The next issue of Point in Line will include a final salute for our friend. I encourage you to send sentiments and photos to the editor (klewissa@uccs.edu) to be included. Until then I would like to share some comments from a fellow coach and the mother of a student which express many of our feelings for him.
“I only met Arnold in 2004, my experience as a fencer and coach was enriched by his knowledge, experience, high standards, and willingness to share. His dedication to our Association helped position us for the continued growth and enhanced interest in professional performance that we see in our members.” Walter Green
“Arnold was the fencing coach for my son, Josh Traub, who now fences for the University of Pennsylvania team. Josh, among many other students, had the privilege of being coached by “Maestro” as Arnold was loving known at our school. Maestro taught our kids so much about integrity, hard work, focus, friendship, pride, life skills, self-confidence and putting their best foot forward. Josh traveled with Maestro to a tournament in Atlanta one year believing that he couldn’t fence without Arnold in his corner. He became a friend to our family, a father figure to my children when they needed one and always put the needs of his students ahead of his own even at times at the expense of his own health. In my son’s own words, “What didn’t Maestro teach me?” Indeed, what didn’t this man teach my son? I can’t think of anything. We were privileged to have him in our lives. I am writing to you because I know how much he loved his work with your organization and to share our thoughts with you about Arnold Mercado, one of your own. If every fencing coach makes the impact in a child’s life as Arnold did in my son’s life, our world is a much better place for all of you having been here. I know we are better for Arnold having been with us.” Beckie Fischer
A memorial service is being planned in Miami, FL sometime around the Thanksgiving holiday. This will allow college and graduate students who trained under Maestro the opportunity to return for the service. Hillel Community Day School students and people who were important in Arnold's life will be asked to participate in this service.
Arnold's remains will be laid to rest near his parents in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
Condolences may be sent to:
Richard Mercado
26 Alabama Court
Houston, TX 77027
Donations can be made in Arnold's memory as follows:
1. Peter Westbrook Foundation - notation should be made:
contribution in memory of Arnold Mercado
G.P.O. Box 7554
New York, NY 10116
(212) 459-4538
The funds will be used to provide inner-city school children in New York City with the opportunity to participate in an after-school fencing program that has produced world class competitive fencers; programs that allow kids who would not otherwise be able to compete with academic enrichment in the hope that they can be accepted into private high schools to help them qualify for top colleges and universities; SAT and ACT preparation combined with "Olympic" training and opportunities to help the kids learn to give back to their own communities and make a difference in their own lives.
2. St. John's School - notation should be made:
contribution in memory of Arnold Mercado
2401 Claremont Lane
Houston, TX 77019
Attn: Advancement Office
Arnold worked for many years at St. John's School. His son Richie and daughter-in-law Brenda are currently teachers at St. John's and his two grandsons attend school there. The funds will be earmarked for scholarships.