“He Was a Good Man”

The late Merl W. Maggs, pictured here with mementoes of his Vietnam service. This display in his Tamaqua living room was meant to celebrate his 80th birthday, but after Merl’s death it became an impromptu memorial. PHOTOS BY WES CIPOLLA

Originally published in the Pottsville Republican-Herald on January 16, 2022.

TAMAQUA - Merl E. Maggs never talked about what he saw in Vietnam. He was fiercely proud of his service in the U.S. Army, for which he was awarded the Purple Heart, but on a bitterly cold Saturday afternoon, none of the family and friends crowded at 536 E. Union Street knew any details. However, there was a unanimous consensus among them: Merl E. Maggs was a good man.

Merl W. Maggs on Christmas 2021, with his wife Cynthia, dog Lily and great-grandchildren Colton and Shelby. PHOTO COURTESY OF BOBBI SNYDER

“He was a good man,” said his son-in-law Alton Snyder Jr.

“He was a good man,” said his friend C.J. Wilcox. “That is all.”

Merl’s friends, family, dog (Lily) and four pet turtles (Mario, Luigi, Rosie and Chain-Link) united for what was supposed to be a parade and get-together in celebration of his 80th birthday. On January 9, one week before the big day, Merl died at his home, surrounded by family.

I cried,” said Merl’s daughter Bobbi Snyder, “because it was just supposed to be an 80th birthday party. “And it all turned out to be a memorial day for our dad.”

Bobbi Snyder and her sisters wore this t-shirt to celebrate their father.

The parade was primarily organized by Juston Morgan, who met Merl’s family through his nonprofit Camp4Vets, also known as Veterans Outdoors Camp. The nonprofit provides free nature activities to veterans, first responders and disabled children.

“Merl was a wonderful man,” Morgan said, “a family man who was loved deeply and dearly among his family and community. It saddened us that we have to put another veteran to rest because our veterans do not get the help they deserve for taking an oath to our country. Merl was a very great man and a father and grandfather who wanted to spend time with his family.”

The original plan was to have 40-50 cars drive past 536 Union Street as Merl, confined to bed due to illness, watched from his window. The cars, decorated with American flags, still came. The horns still honked and the people still whooped and hollered from their windows. 80th birthday decorations were still strung out on the fence outside the home.

The living room wall was covered in birthday cards.

A table draped in 9/11 memorial cloth showcased photos of Merl and his family, and mementoes of his service - including his Purple Heart.

The number “80” hung from the ceiling. There was still a birthday atmosphere in the house. The kitchen was filled with people, smoke and the smell of ring bologna and cheese - Merl’s favorite. Loved ones laughed, told jokes and exchanged (mostly unprintable) stories and memories of Merl.

Merl’s widow Cynthia (left), family and friends gather to celebrate Merl’s life and mourn his passing.

“Somebody told me there’d be free food,” Alton joked. “I was wondering where I could get some.”

Alton said he was Merl’s favorite son-in-law.

“You were his only son-in-law!” Bobbi said.

It’s what Merl would have wanted. Even when he was extremely ill, when asked how he was doing he would reply, “Better than you.”

“He was our old fart,” said his granddaughter Kelly Johnson, 19. “That was our nickname we had for Pappy. He was a very open-hearted, passionate and good man. He would always try and help when he had the chance to.”

His grandson David Maggs, 19, joined the Army to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps. His grandson Shaun, 17, remembered pranking Merl by stealing his TV remote. Merl loved watching NASCAR and his favorite driver was Jeff Gordon.

“We’ve always been friends for umpteen years,” remembered Joanne Wilcox, C.J.‘s mother.

“Words can’t describe.” Said Edward Wilcox, her husband and C.J.’s father. “He was the king of all kings.”

(L-R) Joanne, C.J. and Edward Wilcox at Merl’s house.

“He was an awesome guy,” Joanne said. “Lovable. He always made us feel welcome when we were in his house. I call him my Pop.”

“He treated us like we were his kids,” Edward said.

“He was a big flirt,” Joanne said, “and he would tease me all the time. He was such a joker.”

Merl’s widow Cynthia, who Joanne called Mom, was also there. However, she declined to be interviewed.

“She still doesn’t accept it,” Bobbi said.

Above Cynthia’s bed are photos of family, and a sticker reading “Time spent with family is worth every second.”