In my humble opinion

What I did for love

By JONATHAN CHARLES FOX
Posted 4/20/22

I awoke last Tuesday—April 12—to the sad news that our community-at-large had lost a shining star in the form of Marc Switko.

He described himself on social media as a “musician, …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in
In my humble opinion

What I did for love

Posted

I awoke last Tuesday—April 12—to the sad news that our community-at-large had lost a shining star in the form of Marc Switko.

He described himself on social media as a “musician, sound healer, psychotherapist, counselor, visual artist, connector and recording artist.”  It sounds like a lot, but Marc was all that and more to many people. The news of his untimely death has sent ripples through the Catskills that will reverberate for years to come.  

My relationship with him (true for so many others) was intense and meaningful. While I began to process the news, a song came into my head, as is so often is the case. These words, from the song in the title above, are from “A Chorus Line,” the 1976 Pulitzer Prize winner for drama—a distinction rarely given to a musical.

“Kiss today goodbye

The sweetness and the sorrow

Wish me luck, the same to you

But I can’t regret

What I did for love, what I did for love.”

Marc had a deep connection with his community and I checked on Facebook to see how many friends we had in common—214. Slightly stunned, I posted some words of my own to commemorate his passing.

“As I turned to walk away,” I wrote, “he called out to me and I slowly turned back to face him for the last time. ‘I love you, Jonathan,’ he said. I hugged him and said ‘I love you, too.’ And I always will. Having personally experienced a lot of loss in the last few years, I added this: “Little by little, I’m losing the ability to feel. And it scares me Marc… my heart is broken.”

Rather than sharing more of my own words, I read the thoughts of others who loved him online and am sharing a smattering of them here with you all, accompanied by some photos taken over the years, as the song echoes in my mind.

“Look, my eyes are dry

The gift was ours to borrow

It’s as if we always knew

And I won’t forget what I did for love.”

“Dear Marc,” one person wrote, “you were so mischievous, funny and real. Thank you for the vibes. You total mensch. This community will miss you so damn much.”

One of Marc’s nearest and dearest commented online, “R.I.P Marc Switko. In 2013, Yarnslingers wrote and performed their own eulogies. Marc insisted on recording his in our living room using his typical dark humor. Here’s ‘Summer Baloney.’ Miss you, Marc!” The video can be found at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39oFFrOwhBc.

And this from Marc’s temple community: “Our sincerest condolences are extended to the Switko and Fishman families and the entire community that had the good fortune to know Marc. We will share information regarding funeral services and visitation when we learn those details. May his memory be a blessing.”

“Gone

Love is never gone

As we travel on

Love’s what we’ll remember,” in my humble opinion.

“What I Did for Love” is a song from the musical “A Chorus Line.” Music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban.

Marc Switko, community, love