The man who started it all, Richard Crooks. We will honor his memory once again at this years parade.
Honoring Nancy Robinson
Nancy R. Robinson was born Nancy Nell Rose in 1924 in St Paul, Minnesota. She married Seymour B. Robinson in 1946 and they began their family, moving to Chappaqua, New York, to watch them grow. Once Andrea, Nina, Martha, and Jim became adults and moved on, Nancy and Sy relocated to Ocala, Florida, where life began anew. In 1996, Seymour passed away, beginning Nancy’s fourth life in 1999 as a full-time Key West resident. Here, Nancy was known as a patron of the arts, board member to numerous organizations, supporter of many charitable causes, but mostly a regular presence in the Key West music scene, supporting venues and musicians alike. She regularly watched her son-in-law, Richard Crooks, Nina's husband, as he performed with many of Key West’s, and the country’s finest musicians. An aging body never stayed her youthful spirit, nor her time spent in being a loving and loved Key West presence. She always remained available for her friends and her causes, and most of all, continued assuring that opportunities opened for those whom she could encourage, support, and love.
Honoring Ellen Sanchez
Ellen Welters Sanchez was born in 1902 and taught music and grade school in Key West for over 65 years. The preeminent piano teacher in Bahama Village she was a musical mentor and godmother to many, including the legendary Lofton “Coffee" Butler, Ellen wrote beautiful songs about her island home. She wrote a song for Harry Truman, “The Beautiful Isle of Key West” and Coffee sang it to President Truman at the dedication of Truman Avenue in 1955. Ellen passed away in 2007 the day before her 104th birthday. Ellen’s generous spirit and love of music inspired the Bahama Village Music Program.
Honoring Larry Douglas
Lawrence “Larry” H. Douglas was born in Watertown, NY in 1935. He joined the US Navy and served aboard the USS Sabalo, a diesel submarine. Thanks to the GI Bill, he obtained a degree from the State University of New York at Oswego and then taught junior high school in Watertown. In 1962 he married Barbara and they moved to Syracuse, NY where he earned his PhD from Syracuse University while teaching at the University of Rochester.
In 1973 Larry and Barbara moved with their three children, Nancy, Kate, and Tom, to New Hampshire, where for 28 years Larry was both a Dean and a Professor of History at Plymouth State College. He continued his service in the Navy Reserve, was recalled to active duty during Operations Desert Shield/Storm as the naval historian for Central Command, and retired as a decorated captain in 1991.
A surprise trip for Barbara’s birthday in 2003 was the first visit to Key West for the Douglas family. Larry loved the warmth of the sun, the boats in the harbor, the smell of salt air, the rich history of the island, the friendliness of everyone, and especially the music. He was happy to wear shorts, a t-shirt, and sandals in the winter months, leaving the snow shoveling and shivering behind. He and Barbara spent several winters here, eventually purchasing a home in Old Town within walking distance to their favorite haunts – B. O.’s Fish Wagon and Finnegan’s Wake. Larry thoroughly enjoyed hearing good music all over town, especially when Richard Crooks or Barry Cuda were performing with the island’s other world class musicians. Many of these fantastic artists have become great friends, as have those with whom Larry and Barbara enjoyed the music. Larry made friends with ease and those who knew him will fondly remember his wide grin and finger-tapping joy. We thank you all for your friendship and love.
Honoring Luciana Maria Santori Pope
Born in Cellino Attanasio, Teramo, Italy, Luciana worked as a midwife and nurse in Naples, Italy, where she met her late husband, a US Navy officer, Master Chief Roger R. Pope Sr., married him, and had their first child. The family moved to the US in 1955 and she became a US citizen in 1957.
She is survived by her daughters Laura Pope Smith (Craig) and Sandra Pope, and her son Roger Pope, Jr. Her grandchildren, Michelle Dekkers, Jason Pope, Jessica Pope, Shauna Smith, Jennifer Robinson, Jared Robinson and Jager Robinson survive her. Her great grandchildren Jessica Renee and Kevin Duane Salas also survive her.
Her legacy of courage has been documented in the movie "My Italian Secret: The Forgotten Heroes." Her town of Cellino was part of a secret network during World War II hiding Jews. She bore a scar on her right cheek from shrapnel that hit her while she was running between buildings during a raid by Nazi soldiers looking for Jews.
Honoring Pat Kavanaugh
Pat was born Emmett Patrick Kavanaugh in Baltimore Maryland 1950, and grew up in Ellicott City. He was a swim coach in Ellicott City and a lifeguard in Ocean City Maryland in the summers. He received a scholarship for football where he attended the University of Maryland, he loved music and played in a band in college. Pat loved the path he chose in the Spirits industry selling from Beer to Liquor. Pat moved to Islamorada in 1988 where he loved to jump on his boat and fish, and met his wife Sandy they then moved to Key West in 1996. We had our wedding at the House of Blues in New Orleans LA with many friends and family. He was very charitable and would donate to any good cause. He is greatly missed by his wife Sandy, his three great kids Kelly, Patrick and Michael, mom Joyce and brother Mike and his two beautiful dogs Max and Maggie. You remain always in our hearts.
Honoring Erin Brunner
Erin Brunner: February 1970- August 2015 - Loved dearly by many people In the Keys, northern Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee and the rest of the world.
Nick Names: Lady Bug
Many people in the Keys knew her from when she worked in the office at Geiger Key Marina and RV Park and lived in Tamarac Park on Geiger Key.
Known as a Lover of cats, red boots, people. A Supporter of Bernie Sanders.
Words from postings about Erin, Apophenia Brown, from her Facebook page:
“Your crazy humor. Fire for the underdog.”
“sweet, crazy, super intelligent, radical, open minded, fun loving”
“I saw the joy you reaped & sowed from just living. The depth to which you "tapped souls" (read that on FB).”
#ihatecancer”
“Our girl in the red boots”
“No one wore them like you!!!”
Favorite Quote: "Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly."- GK Chesterton
Her last words were, “I love you – I am out of here”
Honoring Denver Plumley
Pirate at heart.
Honoring Catherine Sommerfeldt
“Cat” was born Anna Catherine Canady on November 10, 1978 and grew up in Columbia, SC where her loving parents and brother reside. She graduated from The University of North Carolina at Asheville with a Sociology degree and moved to Key West in 2005. “Cat” was married to Daniel Sommerfeldt on April 6, 2013 and they spent their leisure time boating and fishing near their home on Geiger Key. She also loved running, diving, swimming and spending time with family and friends. James, Catherine’s brother, says “From running marathons to catching every lobster in the ocean, you lived everyday of your life to the fullest. You unconditionally loved people and you were a light to us all.” Cat lived and loved the Florida Keys and Key West lifestyle. She was known about town for her contagious smile, abundant laughter and huge heart. Anyone who met “Cat” was a friend. Catherine will be forever remembered for her playful spirit, individuality, genuineness, love for others and her tender heart.
Honoring Sgt. Eric Biskup
Beloved Key West Police Officer, Sergeant Eric Biskup, passed away in January 2016 at the age of 49, after a brave battle with cancer. He is remembered by the community as an officer who really cared for those he was sworn to serve and protect, as someone who believed that one-on-one interaction was the key to crime reduction. Longtime friend and former police captain Scott Smith said “He loved this island. He loved its quirkiness.” and “He was the classic cop in that he knew his people. That was important to him.” Biskup was a member of radio host Bill Hoebee’s cast of characters on the radio show “Hoebee in the Afternoon,” anonymously playing “Mr. X.” Hoebee recalls his last conversation with Biskup, “ He said I don’t want you to cry. Just remember all the funny things we did together.”
Honoring Susan R. Garber
Susan R. Garber of Boston and Key West passed away in May of 2015. She spent over 20 years in Key West during the month of February with her husband, Roy Bishop. They had just moved permanently to Key West this past year. She had a very successful career working in public and private organizations including the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Boston Redevelopment Authority, City of Boston, Lotus, IBM, and Texas Instruments. She was the Project Director for the renovation of the Charlestown Naval Shipyard in Boston and was the Director of Public Art for the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. She graduated from Smith College and also had masters' degrees in business and historic preservation. She enjoyed the arts, including theatre and subscribing to the Boston Symphony and even founded her neighborhood's book club. Near the end of her life, Susan was a volunteer at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, developing tours for the disabled. She was honored posthumously by the Museum in December with a Tour and Reception.
Honoring Kris Koshiol
Kris Koshiol was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 11/7/60, the youngest of four, whose names all began with K. He grew up in suburbs, where he played ice hockey and fished and listened to music. He married and had two kids, Samantha and Anthony. He and his wife divorced. However they maintained a relationship until his death. While in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Kris was very involved in the radio industry, allowing him to attain many backstage passes for concerts where he met some of his favorite musicians. He was also a fishing guide and accumulated myriad accolades.
After Kris’s divorce, he moved to Fort Myer’s, where his Father and Stepmother resided in the winter. He then moved to Key West in 2010wherehe attempted several jobs before he settled in as a concierge.
Kris was offered an opportunity to resurrect ViviZapata's on Duval Street that had been a local legend in its day. On a shoestring budget, he not only resurrected it like a phoenix, he created another little Key West family, bringing together people, as he did. Kris loved Key West. He loved the fishing. He loved riding his motorcycle around and up the Keys. He loved watching his beloved Minnesota Vikings with his Key West family. He loved the people. In Kris’s five years in Key West, he became something of a local celebrity. He was a big guy. He had an even bigger personality. And he had a giant heart.
Honoring Wendy Michelle Reed
Wendy was a young, beautiful soul who was loved by everyone she touched. Sadly, she was taken from us too early.
Wendy was a graduate of Carroll High School in Dayton, Ohio in 2000. She enjoyed cheerleading, playing on her school soccer team, listening to music and family camping trips (in particular, the annual trips to the Florida Keys). She looked forward to evening and weekend sailing trips, especially when she could have a few friends onboard. She loved to sail, swim and camp on the boat in a secluded cove.
In her memory, her father, Bill Reed and his wife Elizabeth, named their 42’ Catalina sailboat the Wendy Michelle. They sailed s/v Wendy Michelle to the Keys in 2009 and have since bought a home on Cudjoe Key.
If she was with us today, we know Wendy would be laughing and happily dancing down Duval Street in The Crooks Annual Second Line. We look forward to celebrating Wendy’s life, as well as the other honorees, with lively music, much laughter and everlasting love.
Honoring Bill Bohmfalk
Broker Bill.
Honoring John Brinsmade Braman
John (Jack) Brinsmade Braman was born in São Paulo Brazil on January 25, 1948. He grew up in Connecticut and went to the Gunnery prep school in Washington, Connecticut , founded by his grandfather Grenville Braman . He worked with American Express for their Marketing Department, but for any years prior was employed in customer relations for Piedmont Airlines , before it was acquired by Eastern Airlines. His work there was salutary; he presented the idea of frequent flyer programs - a first in the airlines industry - to Piedmont , which became the industry's standard later on. He partnered with Key West artist William Welch for three years before he succumbed to a chronic illness and passed away on October 17, 1995. He was just 47. Greatly missed by family and friends still to this day. A spirit of selfless love and support that is a rarity ,prized by those who were close to Jack.
Honoring Stephanie Collins
Many of usI lost a loving and compassionate friend. Stephanie Collins, 49. She didn’t take life for granted. She lived and she loved and we all benefited from having her in our lives. Stephanie had many gifts, her smile, her eyes, her love and her compassion. Stephanie loved. Her friends and family were the most important part of her life. How lucky we were to have her in ours.
Honoring David Hostetler
David Hostetler is the creator of a series of captivating and original works in exotic wood and bronze honoring and celebrating the female form. Inspired by goddesses and celebrated women of historical significance, Hostetler has based his life’s work on capturing the spirit, romance, and earthiness of “woman.”
For 68 years, David Hostetler’s reputation as a celebrated sculptor has grown exponentially. His works appear in over twenty-five museums and galleries, including the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, New Jersey, and the DeCordova Museum in Lincoln, Massachusetts. Hostetler’s pieces grace numerous public collections from New Mexico to Nantucket to the Netherlands, and have been featured in films, on television, and in newspapers and magazines.
“The Duo”, Hostetler’s most visible installation, located at Trump International Hotel and Tower is a 13-foot outdoor sculpture in NYC. The city is also home to IKON, a 13 foot bronze, commissioned by The Sheffield located in a pocket park on West 57th Street.
Hostetler’s unique treatment of the feminine form has earned him wide acclaim. Most of his “women” begin as single logs, which he carves by hand into sculpture. These woodcarvings form the basis for cast bronzes. In the 1960s Hostetler rose to national prominence with his “American Woman” series of sculptures.
Born in Beach City, Ohio and raised in Massillon, Ohio, David Hostetler’s Amish grandfather profoundly influenced him both personally and artistically. After serving in World War II, Hostetler went on to receive his Bachelor of Arts from Indiana University. He obtained his Masters of Fine Arts at Ohio University. Hostetler served Ohio University as a teacher and mentor for 38 years, achieving Professor Emeritus. His students include a number of accomplished artists, such as Jim Dine.
Although Hostetler is renowned as a sculptor, his experience was indeed diverse. He trained, as an engineer for a brief time, worked as a farmer and salesman, owned his own commercial pottery company, and created an art commune. Hostetler’s longtime appreciation of religions inspired his study of Judaism. A constant pursuit of intellectual growth and development of new skills resulted in learning to spin wool, build furniture, and create stained glass. Intellectually, Hostetler studied women’s history, shamanism, the history of jazz music and musicians, American farm and craft, tools, folk art, and American history and culture of the land. His wife Susan runs their gallery and winters in Athens
Hostetler Gallery, P.O. Box 2222, Nantucket, MA 02584 (508-228-3117)
Hostetler Studios, P.O. Box 989 Athens, OH 45701 (740-593-8180)
www.davidhostetler.com/
Honoring Robert “The KiD" Yaniz
Born January 15th 1962 Miami Florida Died September 8th 2014
Youngest of 5 siblings: Josefina (Fefa), Tony (Fat), Carlos (Chiqui) , Barbara (Babelyn)
As the youngest of five, he acquired the tag “The Kid” almost at birth. Our family lived in a very poor area of Miami after leaving Cuba in 1960
He attended Buena Vista Elementary School, and Robert E. Lee Jr. High School, and Miami Senior High.
Although Robert never had a formal higher education, he became extremely adept at figuring out the angles and getting to the heart of the matter. He worked in the hospitality industry in Coconut Grove after High School and then moved to Key West for a couple of years and then moved to Orlando where he continued in the same industry. At age 25 he was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and had to go on disability. He lived with the illness for almost thirty years. During the last two decades of his life he dedicated himself to helping other of his friends and acquaintances navigate the maze of government red tape as well as the medical ones. Whenever someone hit a road block, someone would say “Go see Robert, he will show you how!” He never developed full blown AIDS, partially because he lived on a regimen of a bagful of prescriptions every day and perhaps because he was one of those who were able to fight the full effects of the disease.
He had a green thumb and when it came to Orchids, he was known as the “Orchid Whisperer”. Even when it seemed that the orchid had died, he nurtured it until it came back to life.
Two years ago he moved to Miami to live with his sister Barbara, who nursed him for many months as his health, both physical as well as psychological was deteriorating. After a few months he wanted to go back to his home in Orlando. A week later he was found dead of coronary heart disease.
The last time I spoke to him a couple of weeks before his death I told him to try to look at the glass half-full. He laughed and told me, “It’s neither half-dull nor half-empty, there is no glass, and everything is gone. The loves of my life are dead, my best friends are dead, and although I know have a family that loves me it’s getting harder to want to wake up every morning!”
He had a deep love for his family and for Key West. Today his name is inscribed at the AIDS Memorial at White Street Pier, Robert “The Kid” Yaniz. I’m sure he would approve.
He was a good man, a good friend and a great brother. May he Rest In Peace.
Honoring Mary Josephine DeSilva
Mary Jo was born in Point Loma, California on January 10, 1938. She passed away in Key West on August 8, 2011. She was survived by her son Matt Thue, two brothers, Lionel and August, and a sister, Deolinda.
Mary Jo loved dancing and was a avid supporter of live music and our local musicians. For her 70th birthday, former owner and very good friend, Mark Barack gave her a birthday party at La Te Da. Matt surprised his mom by showing up to help celebrate with her many friends. She was loved by all.
Honoring Ophelia Rios
Read by Ricardo Escobar at Flor y Canto para Ophelia, May 15, 2015
Ophelia was originally born in Edinburg, Texas and travelled
with her father and uncles, since her mother died when she was
3 years old. They worked while moving through New Mexico, Arizona, and landed finally in the valley.
As a tiny girl Ophelia was the “water girl” that provided water in a wood bucket at the end of the rows of cotton. She was proud of this. People came to her for water and drank from a ladle.
She worked picking cotton. She was known for picking a lot of pounds of cotton, that no one could believe, a young woman could pick and carry.
She packed dried fruit baskets.
She worked as an elevator girl in the only store in Merced that had 2-3 floors.
She learned how to drive at the age of 13.
Her father Gilbert taught her and her sister how to shoot rifles at the same age, in order to protect themselves since he was gone most of the time.
Ophelia made tortillas for her Grandfather, her father, her brother, and her Uncle in Merced. She rolled out the “masa”/the dough with a Pepsi bottle for all the men.
O was very proud that she was working and bought furniture for the house.
Ophelia married Justino Balderrama in 1957 in Merced, California. They moved immediately to Los Angeles, where her daughter Sandra was later born. Although Justino and Ophelia divorced in 1968, Ophelia kept the name Balderrama because she thought it was so lovely and unique.
O blossomed in Los Angeles and later in San Francisco where she
went back to school and obtained her 8th grade diploma, her high school degree, went to City College and then obtained her Bachelors in Sociology at San Francisco State University.
While in school she worked part time at the Jewish Community Center teaching art and at the Capp St. Senior Center, working with Seniors. She befriended so many people. She conducted oral histories and studied the Gypsies in the United States.
She was a founder of the Mission Coalition Organization and led pickets against slumlords in San Francisco, against Safeway for selling grapes and Gallo wine, and against the owners of a theatre that had replaced Spanish language movies with pornographic movies.
After getting her degree she worked many years as a Community Health Worker for San Francisco General Hospital and worked with newcomers to the United States and people who were homeless. She worked with the Asian Pacific Islander Project and worked with Laotian, Vietnamese, and Samoan families.
At the same time, while accomplishing all this, Ophelia raised Sandra as a single parent.
She served as President and long time member of the Singletarians, (a chosen family of single men and women in San Francisco) and she met Abe Davis, her soul mate..
O and Abe marched for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender rights.
She marched against the USA Invasion of Iraq.
She marched against anti-immigration legislation in Phoenix, Arizona.
O wanted to be alive to see a woman be elected to be President of the United States.
Throughout her life, Ophelia, painted, did pastels, sculpted, did collage, created pottery, and created much of her recent work from items she would find in the street. She had an eye and heart for rescuing things and people.