Mel Filler

Mel Filler, age 86, of Forest Hill, MD passed away peacefully on December 5, 2011 at his home with his loving family at his side. Born in New York, NY, he was the son of the late Nathan and Bertha Scheindlinger Filler. A three-year veteran of the U.S. Army, he served during WWII as an Army Medic, both in the U.S. and overseas. He attended Erasmus Hall High School in Flatbush, NY as well as the School of Industrial Arts in Manhattan, NY. He received his BA degree from Shepherd College in West Virginia and a Masters of Fine Arts from Columbia University of New York. A native of Brooklyn, he had lived in the Baltimore area for over sixty years and was associated with several high school football programs, the Baltimore Colts and the Baltimore Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame.

Mr. Filler started teaching art at Stemmers Run Junior High School in 1951 and later began coaching football and golf at Baltimore City College. He was the Chair of the Art Department at Western High School, while maintaining his coaching position at City College. He left teaching and coaching to head the Graphic Arts Department at the Publications Bureau of the Baltimore City Public Schools. In 1982, he retired as Manager of Publications.

In the final years of the Baltimore Colt's franchise, Filler was an assistant in the Scouting Department and helped the coaching staff break down game films. Since retirement, he was devoted to coaching football, spending many years at both The John Carroll School in Bel Air and Calvert Hall College High School. During the 1998 and 1999 seasons, he had the special opportunity to coach his older grandson, Adam Cook at John Carroll. Long after he officially retired from coaching, Coach Filler remained a mentor to countless student athletes from the numerous football programs where he had coached for over sixty years.

As a member of the Baltimore Chapter, National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, Mr. Filler served as President, Dinner Vice Chairman, was on the Board of Directors and Board of Advisors. He was also a member of the American Football Coaches Association, Maryland State Football Coaches Association, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post # 9083.

He received the following awards throughout his career; 1998-The Service to Football Award, presented by the Baltimore Chapter, National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame; 1992-Received the Jerry Mears Service to Football Award, presented by the Maryland Scholastic Football Coaches Association; 1996-Received the Award of Recognition by the Maryland Scholastic Football Coaches Association for 35 years of Outstanding Service, 1998-Received the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Baltimore Touchdown Club; and on October 2, 2004 was inducted into The John Carroll Hall of Fame.

Mel, often referred to as "Coach," "Uncle Mel," "Grampy," and "Dad," was an avid reader and crossword puzzle enthusiast. His love of music spanned the generations but he had a particular appreciation for the jazz and big band era, after having seen many live performances in New York. A good meal with loving family and friends was Mel's favorite pastime.

He was married for 58 years to his beloved Merva Dye Filler, who passed away in 2009. Mel is survived by two children, Bonnie Cook and her husband, Richard, of Forest Hill, MD and Curtis Filler and wife, Dodie Lazzati, of Forest Hill, MD ; two grandsons, Adam Scott Cook and wife, Brigid Moran Cook and Matthew Walter Cook and wife, Amanda Cook ; and loving sister, Sandra Bonsall of Towson, MD.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the
WBAL Radio Kids Campaign
3800 Hooper Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21211