Not a creature was stirring, not even a kitten; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that Kevin Edler's cats would soon be there ... |
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I am sorry to report that one of our TCDC cartoonists and good friends, Kevin Edler, passed away on January 7th of this year. Kevin's TCDC cartoons are featured below and were always a fun and touching at the same time. He joined us for our 2nd annual TCDC in 2004 and contributed every year since, including 2008. Although I never met Kevin, we e-mailed, IMed a lot, and spoke on the phone occasionally. He was a gentle spirit and very nice guy. I believe cartoonist Larry Miller (a.k.a. Mr.N) may well have been the one to introduce Kevin to our annual project. They had been chatting on cartooning for a long time. Just some background on TCDC: it was started over 6 years ago as a way to express the true spirit of Christmas (and lack there of amidst the hustle and bustle of the Holidays) and a promotional opportunity for the participating cartoonists. We did add an online gift shop a few years ago. The modest fees made on sales from it go to the participating cartoonists, although since Kevin was on disability, all proceeds he made he donated to the running of the site. So you can add honest to his list of virtues! We first learned of Kevin's passing just a few hours afterwards from his nephew Joe. He wrote "I googled his name and found that he had been working with you. This is something I never knew about him. I always thought he had drawn only for enjoyment and was wondering if you could give me any info on this or other things that he had done." Hence this tribute. The official obituary can be found here which states in part "Kevin Edler EDLER - Kevin, of Bohemia, NY on January 7, 2009 in his 53rd year. Beloved husband of JoAnn. Loving brother of Clare Schaefer (Bruce), Joseph (Margaret), Frank (Margaret) and Michael (Sue). Adored uncle of many nieces and nephews." Obituaries only give a quick set of facts, but his niece Mary answered our request for a bit more insight into Kevin: "... he passed surrounded by family. My sister and I held his hand till the very end. He had surgery on 12/31/08 and just could not recover. He was a wonderful person. Kevin sent hand-made Christmas ornaments to the family every year. He made us all personalized baby gifts. He loved watching movies and was very good at trivia. He also loved doing magic and belonged to magic clubs. He played poker, collected trains, and as you know was a great artist." Most of which we had not known! Kevin and I started exchanging Christmas cards a few years ago, and one year I received a reindeer ornament as well! So, from the brief contact I've had with Joe and Mary, I'd say "Adored uncle of many nieces and nephews" was right on target. So, Christmas this coming year just won't be the same without Kevin, but we know that he is somewhere even now cheering folks with his cartoons and other many interests! Take another look at the many cartoons he did for us over the past few years and note the quote at the end! As you will see, Kevin was our cat, kitten and reindeer specialist! Thanks Kevin for all your good cheer and unique look at the true spirit of Christmas! [Also, if you knew Kevin and would like to say a few words to his family or just want to read more about him, here is the guestbook link to do so!] |
To friends and family of Kevin, we leave this parting thought ... which coincidentally was used on the back of the bulletin at his funeral: Of course nothing I can say or do will fill the hole now in
your life. But perhaps this quote, from a Church of England cleric,
may give you some comfort. |