Final farewell to Metin Uca! Laid to rest with tears

12punto.com.tr

Television programmer, author, and presenter, who had been receiving treatment in intensive care for some time, Metin Uca, has passed away at the age of 62.

For Metin Uca, at the Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall a farewell ceremony was held.

Uca's funeral, with his coffin draped in the Turkish flag, brought to the Cemal Reşit Rey concert hall.

The ceremony, where tears flowed like a river, was hosted by Sunay Akın .

Taking the podium at the ceremony, Metin Uca's sister Mehtap Uca Erdoğanread the letter she had written to Uca.

Erdoğan used the following expressions in her speech: 

"Right at the door of the intensive care unit, just as I was about to take you back to our old life, our beautiful days, and our joy, you slipped through my fingers. Just like the tragedy we experienced together during my mother's passing. By a strange twist of fate, we lost my mother just as she was about to be discharged, just as it happened with my brother."

At that time, we shared the same pain, the same bewilderment, and the same rebellion. But this time, you left me very alone in this scenario.

My dear brother, throughout your illness, I always tried to stay very strong and never let any bad thoughts enter my mind. You had so many loved ones, friends, and companions that their wishes and the way they expressed the kindness they received from you gave me strength. I felt an indescribable pride in you. I will never forget you saying, 'I knew it,' with great pride from between your lips when I told you on your sickbed, 'I didn't know you were loved by so many.'

Yes, you should be proud of yourself; you have acquired a great wealth, a place in hearts, that not every mortal can attain. You are the man who made millions laugh. Your promise to me on your sickbed, 'I promise, brother, I will smile,' was a resounding slap that fate dealt to my face. I will never forget this.

Yes, you promised me, you will smile, you will always smile at me from heaven. I believe this with all my heart. Hug my mother and father for me too."

'IF I HAVE HURT YOU, FORGIVE ME'

I love you so much; you are the greatest blessing in my life. I don't think I have lost this blessing because as long as I live, I will carry your love and your fortune within me. You are now a part of my soul.

I promise you, I will carry your name, which lies before us like an honorable, pristine, and clean page, into the future together with my son. You were a perfect son, a perfect brother, and a perfect uncle. I thank you infinitely for everything you did for us. Believe me, I do not know right now how I will live my life from here on, how I will continue, or how I will soothe this pain.

In our more than half-century of sibling bond, if I have ever hurt you, forgive me and grant me your blessing. Turkey is in great need of people like you. My condolences not only to us but to all of Turkey."

POLITICIANS ALSO ATTENDED THE CEREMONY

The ceremony was attended by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu also attended.

'HE HAD AN INTERESTING SIDE'

The final speaker at the ceremony, Özgür Özel, "He had an interesting side. THe was energetic enough to reach everyone he couldn't reach through television one-on-one. We were in constant communication. He was incredibly attentive to the issues of Turkey... He would tell me, 'what needs to be done.' I think he left us a testament on what we should do through his own life. When everyone with a fear of heights shows the courage to become a pilot, Turkey will be saved, and we will all be saved. I greet you all with respect, may he rest in light," she said.

'HE WAS A PERSON WHO THOUGHT IN EVERY ASPECT'

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu said, "He did so much; he was a multi-faceted personality. His friends here have already expressed it very beautifully. A theater artist, author, reporter, journalist... He was a person who thought in every aspect. We were his close followers and, at the same time, people who truly learned from what he said and were awakened by it. I was a fan. May God have mercy on him. We have truly lost a very valuable person. His strong voice was good for us. He was a valuable person for his awareness and for shedding light on certain moves we needed to make," he stated.

Uca's funeral will be held on Sunday following the noon prayer. He will be taken from the Kocatepe Mosque in Ankara and laid to rest at the Cebeci Asri Cemetery.

WHO IS METİN UCA?

He was born in Istanbul in 1961 as the eldest child of a father from Hakkari and a mother from Söğüt. As the child of a modest bureaucratic family, he spent most of his life in Ankara and Istanbul.

Having completed his primary, secondary, and high school education in Ankara, Uca studied Chemical Engineering, Geological Engineering, Theater, and Journalism.

Uca, who completed his military service as a tank second lieutenant in Erciş, Van, began his career as a reporter in 1987 after passing the Anadolu Agency exam. He is the recipient of numerous journalism and television awards.

He began working as a television broadcaster at TRT between 1999 and 2000 and served as a reporter at the Kanal D Ankara bureau from its inception. He worked as a reporter and programmer for Anadolu Agency, TRT, Kanal D, Milliyet EP Magazine, Show TV, ATV, and Star television.

Starting in 1999, he began working in Istanbul with his own original morning programs, game shows, and stage performances. He signed on as a presenter and producer for programs beloved by broad segments of society. Between 1999 and 2003, he presented Turkey's most unique and entertaining morning news show, Günaydın Türkiye, on Star TV.

Uca, who was a presenter and part of the creative team for the 700-episode Passaparola and the 180-episode Miras on TRT, continued his work on channels such as Show TV, ATV, and Star TV with studio programs titled Maydanoz, Büyüklere Masallar, and Pişti.

Metin Uca's books, Her Tuzluğum Var Diyene Hıyarla Yetişemedim, Yes Yerine Orrayt Demek Caiz midir Hocam, Tüh, Alışmadık Gözde Lens Durmaz, and Her Book’a Maydanoz, have reached a total sales figure of 300,000, offering a cheerful perspective on the days we live in.

Metin Uca was unmarried and had no children.