| A GENTLE GIANT PASSES . . . A life long, avid fan and collector of Elvis memorabilia, Manuel Mello of Davis, California passed away on his hero’s birthday, January 8. A cherished friend for forty years of Janice Funkner of Janice Funkner Antiques, Sacramento, California, Manuel assisted Janice at antique shows for twenty-five years, sometimes every weekend. Janice recalls, “He always came to the shows, he liked people, watched my booth, was so friendly with everyone. He was a ‘gentle giant’ who loved people, loved talking. I always say, ‘don’t make eye contact with Manual, because he’ll talk your leg off!’ Everybody knew him.” Although not feeling well, “he had a good time at [his] last show [Twin Bridges’ Sunrise Mall Show in Sacramento, CA January, 2007], he bought an Elvis record! He was very loyal to me. He watched my jewelry like a hawk!” A lifelong resident of Davis, California, Manuel was retired from food service at UC Davis. He lived his whole life in a 100-year-old house on his father’s former dairy farm. In addition to his passion for Elvis, Manuel was a huge fan of the Sacramento Kings’ basketball team, always enthusiastically volunteering information on his latest acquisition. Janice and Manuel, friends since childhood, enjoyed car racing together. Although unable to drive, Manuel made many friends in his hometown of Davis, 200 of whom payed tribute to “the gentle giant” by attending his funeral services. Author’s note: Manuel and Janice took part in Twin Bridges’ Shows for approximately twenty years. She would always design her booth with a special place for Manuel to sit, where he could watch her merchandise and talk to people. When I started my show in Dixon, CA, I asked Manuel if he would like to help by handing out show fliers at businesses in the nearby community of Davis, his hometown. He eagerly took on the job, hitting donut shops, grocery stores, and all of his lifelong favorite haunts. Our shows just won’t be the same without Manuel and his enthusiasm for collecting. Carole Berry, Twin Bridges Antique Productions, February 2007 |