Merrill Sindler

Merrill Sindler MILLERTON, N.Y. - Merrill Sindler died peacefully, in his sleep, on July 11, 2014. He was born and raised in the small town of Bishopville, South Carolina, but yearned for the adventure and opportunity of the big city. After receiving a degree from the Ringling School of Art, he volunteered for the Army, and was sworn in by Lt. Allan Sindler, his older brother. After discharge, he received a master's degree in theater design from Yale Drama School and headed off to fulfill his dreams in New York City. There he had a remarkable life as an art director and set designer for NBC, feature films, multiple New York City Theater productions, as well as many commercials and special projects. His notable achievements include the set designs for the off Broadway play "To Be Young, Gifted, and Black," with Cicely Tyson, an Emmy nomination for his set design for "Ride with Terror," a television drama, and the set for Tiny Tim's wedding on the Tonight Show, still one of the most watched events in the history of television. After many years of intense pursuits in the New York City art and theater world, he retired and returned to his rural roots, this time choosing Millerton, New York, where he just as intently pursued his new country life, along with his life partner, Chip Lopez, planting gardens and attending to a menagerie of animals. Late in life, he returned to painting, and had several one man and group exhibitions in the Millerton area. Above all, he loved friends and family, and he will be sorely missed and remembered as a gracious and generous man who used his talent to make the world a more beautiful place. He is survived by his nephews, Robert, Marc, Michael and Frank Lloyd Sindler, his nieces, Elizabeth (Sindler) Kale, Carol Jane (Sindler) Cast, and their families, his cousin, Ethel Greenblatt, his sisters-in-law, Sophia Sindler and Harriet (Sindler) Levy, and his faithful dogs, Shamus and Molly. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Pauline (Schwartzman) Sindler, his brothers, Edgar, Jerry and Allan Sindler, his niece, Geraldine Sindler, and his life partner, Chip Lopez. Merrill remained much attached to his hometown, and was a particular admirer of his fellow Bishopville artist, Pearl Fryar, whom he considered an artistic genius and exemplary humanitarian. Donations in Merrill's honor can be made to the Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden Inc. (PO Box 1111, Bishopville, SC 29010 or www.pearlfryar.com), the Bishopville Opera House (PO Box 313, Bishopville, SC 29010), or the South Carolina Cotton Museum (121 W. Cedar Lane, Bishopville, SC 29010). A Remembrance and Celebration will be held at the Bishopville Opera House on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 29th, 2014, from noon to 3 p.m. All friends and family are invited.