JOHN FANDEL

John was my only writing teacher at Manhattan in the 1960-61 school, and later my friend. I remember James Merrill speaking of him affectionately. He was indeed a beautiful man, a greatly sympathetic teacher and a wonderful lyric poet.

I was fortunate to be one of Dr. Fandel's students in the 1970s at Manhattan College. Each poetry class was devoted in large part to discussing a poem of one of the students. He never criticized anyones poetry instead he showed us the good aspects of it. This had a magical effect on the class and on their poetry. He was a very kind man and a friend.

Pr. Fandel was a beautiful guy. Back in 1987 or so, he asked me to write my two-line poem on the blackboard. I paused as I began my second line, turning to him and wondering how liberal my liberal education was.

"You don't mind four-letter words, do you?" I asked.

"Four, five, six. I love them all!" he sang back. (He really did kind of sing.) " Let's not discriminate."

The class was "Craft of Verse" and I certainly did learn more about the craft. But it...

A wonderful poet. One of my greatest regrets is that I was not able to take a course with him during my time at Manhattan College. I treasure the volumes of his poetry that grace my shelves. In Pace Requiescat.

A Benedictine monk in Portsmouth R.I. I remember John with much affection from the time, 4 years, c.1955, when he was a junior monk here. I believe he always kept the copy of Ronald Knox's translation of the Psalms I gave him. We talked about poetry too, he encouraged my writing of poetry. His was tightly packed. I regard him as one of the most prayerful men i have known, HOLY, and joyful. If you didn't know how close to God he was you would think John was lonely. I believe he has found his...

The Golden Years of the Manhattan College English Department has become yet a little dimmer.

The Manhattan College alumni community shares the grief, and is now praying for our fellow "Jasper Maker" and the family at this time. Staff -- current and past -- are recognized, remembered, and prayed for. We are mindful of the service of these good men and women that comprise the Jasper "forge" that making us what we are. The Alumni Office has been informed. As well as the Jasper Jottings community that I personally can reach. We are all a little poorer now. "No man is an island, entire of...