February 12, 2014

Tom took a chance on me as a “just-out-of-high-school” kid when he hired me to work as a proof runner in the advertising department at Watt and Shand. He would come into the office, stop in the doorway, open his arms and say “HI, GANG!” I never saw him without a smile. Over the next several years he allowed me to test the waters in design and writing, which eventually  led me to a career in journalism. Interestingly, when I landed at the Sunday News many years later, Tom was there, too … as a mentor and friend. With his passing a new and very bright star lights the night sky, guiding a curious traveler along a new path. Thank you, Tom Mekeel.

January 31, 2014

Dear Tim, Pete and families, I had the privilege of working with Tom on Saturday nights when we paginated the sports section in a little cubby hole in the front of the newsroom. We had many a good chuckle over various things, including that errant program and it’s refusal to do exactly what we wanted!!
i will remember him with great memories of an amazing man. You were blessed!
Kay Rohrer

January 29, 2014

Tim and the Mekeel family,  I send my sympathy to you in the loss of your father and grandfather. He lived a long life.  My father passed in 2002 at the age of 89.  Trust that God will give you strength in the days ahead.  I enjoy reading Pete’s column and often see articles by Tim in the newspaper.  My sister Emma was in Pete’s class in school and Tim was in my class.  Sincerely,  Ruth Conley Parker

January 28, 2014

My sincere condolences to the Mekeel Family in the passing of your Father. I remember Tom from Watt & Shand and Lancaster Newspapers. Although I didn’t work with him personally, his presence was known to me at both workplaces. Bonnie Mitchell

January 28, 2014

Tom was such a friendly and pleasant man. I enjoyed working with him at the Sunday News. My condolences.
Maria Coole

January 28, 2014

Dear Pete, Daniel, Susan and Tim,
Word reached me today of the passing of your father, Tom Mekeel. I no longer live in the Lancaster area, but went online to read his obituary in the Lancaster New Era. I feel compelled to tell you how much your father meant to me. He truly changed my life and led me to a career that I was passionate about.
I was teaching in the Title 1 program of Eastern Lancaster Co. when I spotted an ad in the paper for a copywriter at Watt & Shand. An English major in college and a freelance writer at the time, I applied for the position. Little did I realize how this job would change my life. Your dad was a major influence to me. He guided me and at the same time gave me room to spread my creative wings. Not all of advertising is creative. There was a technical part of it as well, understanding lines per inch and layout. He patiently taught me all of it. Truly, those days at Watt & Shand were the very best in my entire career.
We were sort of secreted away in a space off the children’s department of the store, your Dad, Virginia Pinnell, Jane Ehemann, Mary Lou, who ran proofs and operated the infamous velox machine and myself. In that little alcove we produced the advertising that shaped the image of Watt & Shand in the public eye. Tom introduced me to the world of retail advertising, encouraging me to read and learn about advertising. One of the greats in particular was Bernice Fitzgibbons the matriarch of Gimbels advertising. I wanted to leave a mark like hers. He took me to the Retail Advertising Conference in Chicago where the best of the best from all over the world presented and inspired the rest of us. John Jay (genius) from Bloomingdales, Macys, Carson’s, Peter Glen, they were all there. The first time I attended that conference I was so excited I wanted to burn the store down! I still get excited as I recall that experience. Over the years I continued to attend the RAC and later encouraged my own advertising staffs to go and to grow. All because of what Tom exposed me to.
In time, Tom allowed me to take on writing the radio commercials and eventually the television production as well, which had been handled by Al Duffy. Always Tom was there to guide and advise. As in most offices, it was not all work. We grew to know each other well, to care about each other’s families and to share stories of our past. When Tom went out to have his heart by-pass little did we know that it would be the beginning of change. He retired shortly afterward and I was named the Advertising Manager. I don’t think I ever saw Tom again but the lessons I learned under his tutelage will stay with me always.
I am deeply sorry for your loss. I understand that Tom suffered from dementia. It is very hard to see that happen to someone you love. It’s actually like losing them twice, I think. However I know that inside Tom was the same person you loved as a dad and I as a mentor. May he rest in peace.
Jane Webster

January 28, 2014

Always remember  Tom Mekeel as a friendly, generous fellow with a wide smile.  He will be missed but will live on in his children, grandchildren and great-granchildren.  Susan Baldrige