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FRATERNITY BROTHERS BID GOODBY

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  The following was the Epislon Sigma Ceremony for the Brother C. Melvin Patrick on Sunday, May 19, at 5:30 p.m. at Benta's Funeral Home in Harlem.

On May 14, 1985, our Eternal Father took our Brother, Mel Patrick to rest.
  As with every death, there is sadness. Fortunately, with every death there are also memories.
  It is some of these memories that we in Episilon Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. want to share with you, briefly.
  Kahil Gibrian, a poet, once said:
  "—You give little when you give of your possessions.
  "—It is when you give of yourself that you truly give."
  All of us who knew Mel knew that he knew no other way but to give of himself when he undertook any tasks.
  A Community and Political Activist, Mel had served as Executive Aide and Executive Examiner to several Borough Presidents of the Borough of Manhattan in New York City, providing top-level advice on diversified community projects and community problems; he had acted as liaison between several City departments and agencies in their relations with the Borough President's office. He served as community Relations for the National Urban League and has given exposure to many local and national organizations through Delegate Magazine which he published with his beloved daughter Ann and his dear and close friend, Hilda Stokely.
  A Family Man—He was the old fashioned kind who believed in taking care of his family so they were cared for and comfortable. A proud and loving father and husband.
  A Fraternity Man—He was totally dedicated to our great Fraternity and made innumerable contributions to strengthen it, improve it and to make it greater. Mel first joined the Fraternity in 1936 when he was initiated into Alpha Delta Chapter at City College in New York City. After his initiation he continued his undergraduate studies at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. While at Morehouse he served as president of Chi Chapter and made that Southern Region. On returning to the New York City after World War II, Brother Patrick became an active and prodigious worker in Epsilon Sigma Chapter. He became the Chapter's Director of Publicity and served in that capacity until he became the National Director of Publicity.
  As National Director of Publicity for the past 25 years, Brother Patrick used his talents, experience and expertise to gain for the National Fraternity an image and national coverage that otherwise would not have been possible. He secured the cooperation and participation of business and industry in sponsoring and underwriting luncheons and employment conferences for undergraduates and national conclaves and regional conferences and raised hundreds of thousand of dollars for the Sigma Education Fund. In the same vein, Mel was the almost single force in the New York City Chapter of the National Pan Hellinic Council in obtaining financial support from business and government in sponsoring the highly successful Careers Day Conference for high school students. 
  All of Mel's endeavors earned him numerous awards and citations, including election to the Prestigious Distinguished Service Service Chapter of our National Fraternity.
  And now a giant of a man is gone and the void that is left will be greatly felt by all.
  As we close this tribute to our departed Brother, let me offer these comforting words to the family and all present—
  After the clouds, the sunshine
  After the winter, the spring
  After the shower, the rainbow
  For life is a changeable thing...
  After the night, the morning
  Bidding all darkness cease
  After life's cares and sorrows 
  The comfort and sweetness of peace.
  From a grateful and saddened Chapter, we say to the family: "Thanks for allowing us to spend this brief time with Mel."

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