Mental health housing facility dedicated in Neil Meisler's memory

Reprinted from The Pheonix
April 9, 2009

Neil Meisler on a visit with his grandchildren in RI
February 2009

By DENNIS J. WRIGHT
dwright@PhoenixvilleNews.com

PHOENIXVILLE — Family, friends, colleagues and clients of the late Neil Emil Meisler remembered him in a ceremony to honor the residence of 1005-1007 Paradise Street as Neil's Place Wednesday morning.

According to those who spoke highly of Meisler, who passed away on March 4, 2009, he left quite a legacy of good will, professionalism and hard work in the field of mental illness and co-occuring disorders.

The two-story twinhouse at 1005-1007 Paradise Street is owned by Fellowship Health Resources, and is used to house residents with various mental illnesses.

Over 65 people gathered underneath a huge white tent stationed in the backyard of the residence to remember Meisler, and speak highly of his commitment and achievements.

Fellowship Health Resources president/CEO Joseph Dziobek welcomed everyone to the ceremony.

"It is my pleasure to welcome you to Paradise Street to dedicate it as Neil's Place," said Dziobek. "We believe it is most fitting to rename it as Neil's Place."

Dziobek welcomed Meisler's family in attendance, former Secretary of Delaware Department of Health and Social Services Tom Eichler; Dr. Louis Beccaria, president/CEO, and Lynn Pike Hartman of Phoenixville Community Health Foundation; and Fellowship Health Resources Chester County housing coordinator Mariann Horan.

Dziobek said that during a phone conversation with Meisler last year, he discovered that he was looking for a career change. Dziobek offered Meisler a job in Phoenixville, and after several months of considering it, Meisler accepted a position at ACT program manager.

Throughout the ceremony, various people in Meisler's life took to the podium to share with the audience their memories of Meisler. Some of their testimonials were emotional and heartfelt.

Raine Springer, ACT nurse, expressed her gratitude to Dziobek and Gonzales for bringing Meisler to Phoenixville.

"Thank you and we are eternally grateful to you for bringing Neil to us," said Springer to Dziobek. " He brought a light to a difficult time. He brought leadership. He had a superior vision. I thank him for his superior vision. Neil was side by side with us. He was beside us as a team member. He was a person of incredible will and action."

Son Elton said that the work in Phoenixville was important enough for his father to move from Arizona.

"We knew he was doing a good job here because he was still working when he got home," said Elton. "Everyone loved my father as much as I do and it's comforting."

Grace Bagwell, Psychotherapeutic Services, PSI, said that Meisler was a "workaholic."

"He wrote many programs and saved many lives," said Bagwell. "You were fortunate to have him. He will always be in your hearts."

Eichler, who hired Meisler in 1987 to work for him in Delaware, said it was a special honor for him to be present.

"This is as formal as Neil would've wanted this to be," said Eichler. "We had a big hole in my organization and needed someone above ordinary. He had a wonderful record and a great commitment to providing service. He was not afraid to challenge and to make change. His work is still being acknowledged to this day in Delaware."

Beccaria, who was working for Eichler at the time as his chief of staff, said he was sent by Eichler to pick up Meisler at AMTRAK in 1987.

"Neil and I go back 22 years. He was like a brother I never had," said Beccaria. "He was an amazing professional person. He had high standards with a pursuit of excellence in everything he did. He lived with Lynn and I for five months before he died. It was a special time for us."

Overcome by emotion, Beccaria concluded by saying, "God bless you Neil for the gift of friendship. I miss you greatly."

Daughter Robin and granddaughter Hannah took turns reading the poem "We Remember Him."

"So long as we live, he too shall live, for he is now a part of us, as we remember him," they said.

After Dziobek read some submitted testimonials, Beccaria presented Neil's family with a plaque.

"We will be hanging this in the house as a memory to Neil," he said.

Meisler's wife, Carolyn, thanked Dziobek and Beccaria for their graciousness and support for her family, and for being good friends with her husband.

"He was a visionary," said Carolyn of her husband. "He was skilled and never worked alone. He worked hard to make things possible for many. He was a team player. I was his colleague before I became his wife."

Following closing remarks by Dziobek, attendees were invited to partake in refreshments provided by Tony's Family Restaurant, Route 724.

Horan said the ceremony was beautiful, and was nice to hear so many things said about Meisler.

"He truly was a wonderful man," said Horan. "This place definitely is now Neil's Place.