By Lynde Salgados
Correspondent
MUSICIAN Harry James Ravelo Marzon, whose death gathered around his countless friends and fellow musicians for an unlikely ‘pandemic reunion’ in nightly mini-concert vigils, is laid down to rest today at the Divine Shepherd Memorial Gardens in Barangay Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City.
“Nabibo ‘mi tungod sa imo kuya. Salamat kaayo sa imong friendship dili ka namo malimtan,” wrote singer Jekjek Dahilan, who posted on her Facebook wall a series of group selfie pictures with Cagayan de Oro musicians who paid their last respects to a beloved drummer/trumpeter on Tuesday night.
According to his wife Evangeline, the 50-year-old Harry will be cremated, then may take the urn to their home in Barangay Bayabas before his proper burial.
“He died in sleep at the Polymedic Plaza at the time of his scheduled release from the hospital. Mao lang sab among consolation nga wala na siya nag-suffer in pain,” said Evangeline, 53, who described Harry as a funny, sweet, and very loving husband.
The so-called everybody’s friend Harry, whose last employment before the pandemic was with Jackals Live, died from kidney failure related to cellulitis on his right leg as he was also diabetic.
“It runs in the blood as our father also died from the same condition,” said his older brother in iconic drummer, Jojo, who just turned 60-year-old.
In celebrating his senior citizenship, Jojo said he promised to treat Harry for dinner to his favorite food chain, Jollibee.
“But he just checked in the hospital ga joke pa siya nga ‘sana all’ because he knew the perks with being a senior citizen. Wala gyod sa akong vocabulary iyang paingnan, so pag text sa among elder sister nga ‘Harry dead’ I was really broken-hearted, though amo na lang gyod dawaton,” Jojo told Gold Star Daily.
Evangeline said she was surprised at the influx of visitors at Harry’s wake, that only did she learn her husband’s significant role and influence in the local music industry.
The ageless music legends in Cagayan de Oro such as Benjie Bernados (guitar), Napoleon ‘Napsax’ Hechanova (saxophone), Tikboy Rementizo (keyboard/bass), and Bachie Casiño (piano) also braved virus threat to attend the wake and shared their talents.
“I know Happy ka karon nagtan-aw sa amoa while nag tribute kuya Harry. CDO musicians will surely miss you,” said virtual singing contest grand finalist Jayson Nagac.
Calling it “Rasta to the Highest” as Jojo coined it, Harry’s tribute ended with the Reggae Night, featuring the killer brass of Harry’s own Kagay band, belting the reggae-inspired Let It Be of the Beatles that the late great Harry Marzon had unwittingly arranged himself for the band to perform on his final night to say goodbye.
