Clifford Meister

CLIFFORD A. MEISTER, age 66; beloved son of the late Edward and Mary Lou Meister (nee Fasolino); loving brother of Cheryl Meister (Don Armstrong) and Louise Vavrus (deceased) (Donald); devoted uncle of Shauna Kearns (John) and Hallie Vavrus; great-uncle of Aaron Kearns.  The Meister family would like to recognize Shelia Duffey, Sonya Benjamin and family.  At Cliff’s request all services are private. Interment will be at St. Benedict Mausoleum at Holy Cross Cemetery, Crypt 733A. Donations may be made to Malachi House www.malachihouse.org .

Cliff was the middle child of Ed and Mary Lou Meister, born October 23,1956, joining older sister Cheryl and then baby sister Louise. We grew up in suburban Brooklyn on Winter Lane in the 1960's. Cliff was 10 years old when he started beating on his pillows with drumsticks, and started lessons at Memphis-Ridge music center to help channel that energy. He went to St. Thomas More grade school, and then Brooklyn High School where he made life-long friends and graduated in 1975. We grew up in a great neighborhood and had a lot of fun with the other kids in the community biking, swimming, skating, going to the parks (Cliff always talked about his adventures in the "kingdom"). Dad taught him to fish early on and, after music, that was his second passion in life. He wrote diatribes about how to fish!

Now I may not have the timelines quite right here, but after graduation he went traveling with his (still) good buddies across the country and had tall tales to tell about those experiences. Somewhere along the way his musical talent (he used to say he was a " finesse" percussionist) got him hooked up with "The Jon Washington group" (look him up) and he played the night club circuit, notably in Branson, Missouri. He was married briefly there. He started playing harmonica with Dad in the 1970's as well, and I'm sure some of Dad's showmanship rubbed off. They were known as "The Tin Sandwich" and a CD exists (actually, many CD's now...). Eventually he got away from actual drumming, bought studio equipment and became "Cliff Meister, The One Man Harmonica Band " - that was his business, and he played a nursing home circuit and delighted residents with his own version of music therapy. Cliff was a massively talented musician and shared his gift with others all his life to the very end.

After we lost both parents about three years ago, he was able to go live with Sonya's sister, Shelia. He had played with her late husband Jerry in his band and we will always be grateful to "St. Shelia of Triskett" and their whole family for their love, support and understanding of Clifford. He also became quite the cook (thanks, Mom!) and loved to share his recipes. Let's not forget "Happy Svenghouli Day" every Saturday either!

Cliff went to Fairview Emergency Department on May 8th and was diagnosed with metastatic CA. He chose no treatment (especially after Weezie's journey) and thankfully was admitted to Malachi house on May 30th, and passed as he wished on June 18th. He will be interred between Ed and Mary Lou's " foot lockers" in St. Benedict Mausoleum at Holy Cross Cemetery.

My dear Cliff, we really didn't expect you to be gone so soon, too young- but time's up. But like you said, you did everything you wanted to do in life and you did it your way. You accepted your fate so graciously, and that is to be admired. For those of us who really knew and loved you, thank you for being a good son, brother and friend. We will miss your happy, smiling, funny, chatty self always. Blessed be, my beloved brother. Rest in peace.