RIP Berto aka Blue Meanie

[B-Lister]

We lost a good one. One of our own.
man always had some great stuff for sale, and was always willing to make a deal.

Deepest condolences to his family, and to all of us. He was one of the best, and the community is deeply affected for having lost him, but better for having known him.

This one hurts.

[Wee67]

I felt a little intimidated walking into the basement of the Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum. I knew I didn’t know nearly as much about Megos as most of the people at this second Mego Meet. I had met several of these people two years ago at Mego Con in New York but I was still relatively new to this community. And I’ve never been one of the cool kids in any of the communities I hang in. I was drawn to a table filled with loose Megos that made everything feel a little like the comfort of nostalgia. The mustache-covered smile that beamed at me asked my Museum screen name. Oh, of course! Berto knew Wee67. We had had several email back and forths. He started talking to me like we had been friends for years. His enthusiasm and unbridled joy made me feel at home. I would find myself making my way back to that table several times, just to talk with Berto and his equally welcoming brother. Over the years our conversations expanded to Cowboys football, Italian soccer, vinyl records… all kinds of stuff. I’m so happy to have a picture of me, Berto and Tomasso laughing together in Skokie.

I can tell from all the messages and stories that many of you had a similar experience and love for Berto. We may have been separated by space and perhaps didn’t talk as much as we liked, but we were all friends. Really good friends. Everyone who was lucky enough to meet Berto felt the same impact of his joy and enthusiasm for so many things. I, like many of you, love Berto. I will miss my friend.

[trekman101]

I’m so sad to hear this...l haven’t spoken to him in a long time but when l did it would be like we talked last week.
l will miss him

[J.B.]

Never met him, but always enjoyed his posts/comments. Very sad.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Berto was always a pleasure at Mego Meet. Very gregarious and welcoming. I remember he threw in a free Robin Slurpee cup when I noticed it after buying an armful of stuff from him. Very sorry for the coumminity here, Tom and all of his familly and friends. RIP.

[Jorge Galvan]

I enjoyed his BEATLE references and his spirit. Lovely guy. He will be missed.


RIP Roberto.

[Brown Bear]

I'm guilty of not visiting the Forums here much anymore, but wanted to pop back in to share my Berto story.

My very first Mego Meet I was walking into, Berto was the first table and he was still setting up. He had tubs of stuff. He asked me if this was my first Meet and we exchanged pleasantries. Then he asked what I was looking for. My answer was "some really specific pieces that i don't expect to find......like Oscar Goldman's loafers." Winthin seconds he handed me a large ziplock bag from one of his tubs saying "It's probably in there. Have a look."

There were three pairs and he gifted them to me, refusing to take any money for them since it was my first meet. I watched in awe as he seemed to literally have everything. We had a fun, energetic chat about Mego leaving me with an unforgettable "first impression" of what the Mego Meet community was all about. A memory that I often went to when other first timers asked me what was it like?

My interactions with Berto were limited compared to you guys but he was very kind to me and that means something. May he rest in peace.