Friday, August 16, 2013

Remembering Merlin on Avenue A


[Today]

We posted the following item in August 2010 ... Every year since Merlin (Paul Robert Hogan) died on Aug. 16, 1996, someone creates a memorial for him on Avenue A at Sixth Street where he lived for eight years on the sidewalk.

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I wanted to follow-up on the Merlin's Memorial post from yesterday...



Bob Arihood, who took the shot above, documented the scene on Avenue A and Sixth Street on Neither More Nor Less after Merlin passed away on Aug. 16, 1996...



As Bob wrote:

A wake and vigil of considerable moment, lasting for the better part of 2 weeks , was held in the neighborhood at Merlin's corner . Some nights the sidewalk and street around the memorial were so densely packed with people that it seemed that everyone in the neighborhood and the surrounding communities was attending , crowded together ,all kinds of folks , from all professions and callings , from high and low paying their respects to Merlin .

Here's Merlin on his corner as many people here remember him...



Per the Times from July 1996:

There are few certainties in this changeable city. But on Avenue A and Sixth Street, a place that has been convulsed by change in recent years, one thing has remained constant through the riots and real-estate booms: Merlin, a 41-year-old homeless man who uses only one name, has made the intersection's southeast corner his residence for eight years. Neither blizzards nor blistering heat have routed him from atop a set of wooden pallets in front of a Con Edison substation.

"People move in and out of the neighborhood, but I never budge," he said last week, lounging beneath a pair of tattered umbrellas, his only guard against the sting of the sun. A stroke has left him partly paralyzed, and frostbite cost him several toes three winters ago.

To strangers, he is but another intrusion on the East Village's gritty streetscape, a reason to avert their eyes. But to many local residents, he is a cherished asset: a timekeeper, a message center, a town crier and a source of good, solid conversation. "Merlin is a social hub," said Tatiana Bliss, 25, a local artist. "If you're looking for someone, Merlin probably knows where they are. If you want to leave something for a friend, he'll make sure they get it. He makes this crazy city feel like a small town."

Jeremiah also writes about Merlin today, asking the following: "Could such a memorial happen for a homeless man in the East Village today?"

8 comments:

moe said...

The repeated references to Merlin a 'homeless man', are laughable to those many of us (not sure how many left, tho) who knew him. Not only was his so-called homelessness the least of the things that defined him, but the most amazing thing about Merlin was that he actually had a home in a way he defined, that spot on 6th and A, that was his home for years. He was at Home more than most anyone I knew, which made him the official guy to leave a message, a package, a search request with, since he was a guy that was going to be there. He created a niche that was of value to lots of us in the old hood, and we respected that by hooking him up when we could with a meal, a few bucks, a bottle of that cheap wine he would drink. He had chances to move indoors and always passed them by, preferred the life he chose. Intelligent fellow, preferred a book to almost any other gift, always busy reading. Kept a milk crate handy for a conversation seat if you were in the mood to hang and talk. Valuable and missed part of this neighborhood.

Daho said...

I had only lived here about 4 months when I sadly came across Merlin's memorial. That's when I realized what an amazing city this is (or was). The idea that someone another city would say "didn't matter", yet here mattered greatly, touched me deep. I'll never forget it, as his memory shaped what it means to be a human being.

Bayou said...

Merlin, gone. Bob, gone. Al Hirschfeld, whose wonderful drawings packed with hidden "Ninas" were such a staple of New York Sunday mornings, gone. Con Ed remains.

Mo said...

I am Merlin's sister. I was a very young child when Merlin left home. I am looking for video of him. There seem to have been several people who documented his time on the street. Josh Pais was one with 7th Street Movie, but I am sure that there is more footage of him out there that I can no longer find online. Can anyone help me?

Anonymous said...

Mo, I don't have any photos or video of him, I just wanted to say that your brother was dearly loved by many and I miss him.

Mo said...

thank you. that means quite a lot actually.

moe said...

I don't have or know of video either, just wanted to add that I remember meeting Merlin's family at the service at the church on Ave B and thinking what a nice bunch they were, not sure if you were there Mo but if so hello again, not that you should remember but just in case I was a tall fellow with a tiny white chihuahua that was one of Merlin's favorite dogs from the neighborhood, as you might imagine M's perch gave him the chance to really get to know many of the doggies around here, most of them loved him too and would drag the owners over for a big hello every day.

Mo said...

thank you Moe.
I was not at the service. it was his fathers family that knew his situation and were aware of his death. I understand that they were/are good people. he was estranged from his (my) mother. I learned of his death not too long ago.
you must have been a good friend to him- I wish I had had the opportunity to know him as you did. I remember that he was sweet and kind.
thank you for sharing...