13:49
Zarphus
I hate to drag down moods today, but its important.
We lost Mark Merlino today, known in the furry community as Sysable, to stage 4 liver cancer, at 71 years old.
He practically founded the furry fandom as we know it, since the 1970's, and he was with us every step of the way. He hosted furry room parties at sci-fi and fantasy cons as far back as 1985.
I sometimes say "i've been in the fandom longer than you've been alive" to a lot of younger furries, but this man has been a furry longer than *i* have been alive.
And he stayed with us; through The Skiltaire meets held at his own home every month, and conventions, to Furrymuck, to Second Life, to VRChat, and everything inbetween, he's been involved with so much of the furry fandom, both online, and in the real world, that i can't list it all in one place. Devoted people like Sysable are pillars that support this fandom and everything that makes it a wonderful community. Think of him, but also take a moment to think of the people still with us, who took his lead, and work to make this fandom the best it can be, and bring so many of us together.