"remembering al mehmel" by dimitri cavalli in the ramview (fordham prep, bronx ny alumni...

Remembering Al MehmelBy Dimitri A. Cavalli, '90

Since graduating from the Prep in 1990,I've come back several times for a visit. Forsome strange reason, Mr. John Haag of theScience Department always looks at me withsuspicion and asks, "What are you doinghere?" Like many alumni, I've been amazedby some of the changes such as the LeonardTheater, which used to be the Prep's unofficialhandball courts.

Not too long ago, I went up to theReligious Studies Department and tooknotice of one of the desks. I rememberedhow each morning before class, Mr. AlMehmel sat there reading his copy of TheNew York Times. When Mr. Mehmel died20 years ago, his loss to the Prep familywas tremendous.

Mr. Mehmel arrived at the Prep in1966. He was a life-long Bronx resident anda graduate of Fordham University. For 23years, he taught Religion and German. Mr.Mehmel was more than a teacher. He was anexperience. Wherever Mr. Mehmel went, hebrought laughter, love, and a little gentlemayhem with him. In fact, his reputationmanaged to travel beyond the Prep's walls.During my Freshman year in 1986, thedeacon at my local parish asked, "Do youhave Al Mehmel for anything?"

I was fortunate to have Mr. Mehmeltwice. The one thing everyone remembersabout him was his wonderful sense ofhumor. It wasn't uncommon to walk pastone of his classes and hear roars of laughter

from his students. Who could forget hiscamel jokes or his world-famous impressionof a certain science teacher? No matter howdifficult things got for us at the Prep, at leastsome of us always had Mr. Mehmel's class tolook forward to. We students would spendhours telling his jokes and laughing aboutsome crazy thing he did or said in class. Onmany occasions, Mr. Mehmel and.I wouldexchange jokes, which we would pass on toothers.

Mr. Mehmel often had some of usfooled. It wasn't until his funeral that Ilearned that he and the late Father RussellSloun, S.J., were not half-brothers. Mr.Mehmel seemed so sincere when he toldus this in class. Other rumors about himturned out to be true. He did spend one yearin a Capuchin monastery before leaving.

As Mr. Ferd Beck, Mr. Mehmel's col-league in the Religious Studies Departmentand frequent co-conspirator in mischief,said, "For a long time, it was impossible tomention his name without laughing."

Mr. Mehmel is also remembered for hisfavorite saying, "Love knows no rules!" Forhim, it was more than just a clever phrase tobe listed every year in the school yearbook;it was a way of life. To his family, friends,co-workers, and students, he gave us greatamounts of love and gave it unconditionally.Anytime you needed help, advice, encour-agement, a prayer, or just a friend to talk to,Mr. Mehmel was there. The late Father

Edward Maloney, S.J. once told me that "AlMehmel had a warm outgoing personality.His caring and jovial spirit endeared him tostudents and colleagues alike."

At Fordham University, I got to knowMr. Mehmel's son, Al Mehmel III. Overcoffee, we often traded amusing storiesabout his famous father. One day, we bothexploded into laughter when we recalledhow Mr. Mehmel specifically wanted to bepresented at his funeral. (Since this is afamily publication, I'll spare you the details.)

Mr. Mehmel's unexpected death onJune 19, 1989 shocked us all. We all knewthat he had experienced some health prob-lems, but we never dreamed that he wouldleave us so fast and at such a young age.The news of his passing spread very quickly.At the wake, there were literally hundreds ofpeople. We all waited in line tor hours to saygood-bye to him and offer condolences tohis wife, Patricia; son, Al; and daughter,Katherine.

Over 2,000 people attended his funeralat Holy Family Church in the Bronx, whereMr. Mehmel had also served as a deacon. Hisfamily, friends, colleagues, parishioners, andstudents all came to mourn his death, and,as the music pamphlet for his funeral Masssaid, celebrate his life.

Al III said .that his father "loved wakingup each morning to go to the Prep and teachhis boys who would be great men one day ashe once said." Al III also wants his father

remembered as "a man who breathed life,love, and knowledge into the hearts ofevery student, colleague, friend, and familymember he was surrounded by."

In his 23 years at the Prep, Mr. Mehmelearned a lasting place in this school's history,and deserves to be mentioned amongnames such as Shea, Leonard, Holbrook, andStellwag. Today, we honor the man he wasand the legend he became. We rememberMr. Mehmel because he was a great teacherand a great friend. The joy he gave each ofus can never be forgotten.

Above all, he loved us.

11 Ramview / Summer 2009