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| The S.V.A.'s longtime Public Relationist -- a title as unique as him -- is David F. LaManna West better known as "Dave West". He was born in upstate New York in Syracuse on December 15, Nineteen Hundred and.... Fifty-two! "Hurricane" Dave is one of the well-known and memorable Stonewall veterans, namely through the STONEWALL Veterans' Association ("SVA") of the 1969 Stonewall Rebellion. Dave also has been a 'regular' in Greenwich Village since he was an enthusiastic, danceaholic Gay teen from upststate New York patronizing The Stonewall Club in 1969. One of his favorite sights on Christopher Street throughout 1969, besides all the boys, was the bold and beautiful brand-new metallic blue Cadillac convertible belonging to Williamson Henderson, who he would come to become longtime friends. Ironically, many years later, Dave West is a recognizable figure leading the recognizable S.V.A.'s contingency with that very 1969 blue Cadillac "Stonewall Car" convertible in the lead section of the annual New York City Gay Pride Parade. Dave always wears something outstandingly unique, regal and/or sexy -- whether he be an Indian chief, a Navy sailor, a Gay pirate or a Yankee baseball player -- all the while steadfastly holding the rainbow Gay flag high and proud! Dave West is also known as an innovative entertainer, skilled dancer and crooning singer. Hurricane Dave is much-requested for his "singing telegram" theatrical routines -- especially for birthdays -- with a seemingly endless array of impressive, exciting and sometimes daring characters and costumes. "Hurricane" is a forever popular, lively, featured performer in the S.V.A.'s annual entertainment fund-raiser event "Stonewall Showtyme" at the historic Stonewall Club's cabaret room on Christopher Street in Greenwich Village, New York. |
S.V.A.'s Dave F. West with N.Y.C.'s Michael R. Bloomberg
[Photography by the Office of the Mayor of the City of New York]
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S.V.A.'s Dave West in the now famous photo
[Photography via New York Daily News;
the Daily News also published this photo]
Chief Hurricane Dave proudly leading the S.V.A. in June 2005
[Photography by Hal M. Weiner]
Dave West with Williamson Henderson after the 2005 Gay
Parade at the Hudson Corner Restaurant Outdoor Cafe
[Photography by DigitalPhotoPro@aol.com]
After the S.V.A.'s wonderful Public Relationist Dave received an advance copy of this photo from Hal Weiner via WLH, always appreciative Dave (who was ill and under treatment at the time), sent Hal a personal note of thanks. Dave's thank you card read: "I love the STONEWALL Veterans' Association. I love Williamson. I love the 1969 Stonewall convertible. I love the Gay Pride Parade. And I love, love, love this great picture of Williamson and me. Love, Dave P.S. I wasn't going to come as the Indian this rough year but Williamson said that you must, you can do it, do it for pride, do it for you, you look swell, you'll be glad you did. He was right! Thank you Hal for capturing all that!"
Dave West at his final movie: Brokeback Mountain
[Photo by Jenni Jan Egan]
A "From Stonewall to Brokeback" gathering was assembled by S.V.A. Director Williamson Henderson for Friday the 13th of January 2006. Comprising the S.V.A. group were Williamson (host), Dave West (the motivation for the event), Bert Coffman, Storme DeLarverie, Jenni Egan, Michael Livote and Anton. Originally planning to attend, AnDre Christie (visiting his mother in the hospital) was in regular contact to Dave's cellphone. "Brokeback Mountain", released in New York City the month prior, is about two basically non-Gay cowboys who not-so-slowly fall deeply in love with each other and embark on a twenty-year relationship of ups and downs. "BBM" was the talk-of-the-country and far beyond. When WLH suggested this idea to Dave, he was instantly enthusiastic. Indeed, BBM lifted Dave's spirits and injected inspiration into his life. The movie dinner party started at the movie box office on West 23rd Street with Williamson purchasing everyone's movie tickets -- to ensure that tickets to the film wouldn't be sold out. Dinner and drinks were at the East of Eighth Restaurant in the heart of Chelsea in Manhattan. All had such fun with loads of laughs and all were treated by WLH. Everyone saw, enjoyed and were moved by "Brokeback Mountain" at the Chelsea Cinema Theater. A specially meaningful and cost-free (including safe taxi home) evening with friends was had by Dave, who died within three months.
STONEWALL Veterans' Assn. business card for Dave West
.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dave had a deadly battle with bladder cancer which, over time,
unfortunately and ultimately spread from one vital body organ to another.
He was re-hospitalized at Beth Israel Hospital on Thursday,
March 30th. That was the same day that SVA-er
Dave planned to join Williamson Henderson, Bert Coffman,
Michael Livote, Bill Salzman, Rose Jordan, Anton Hauser and AnDre
Christie at an Andrew Cuomo public policy event at
nearby (to Dave's home) Baruch College. Starting the following day, Friday, began
what was an apparent vigil. Dave was visited daily
by relatives, especially
his outgoing and supportive Mother Mitzi, his brother, sister and nephews, several
invited S.V.A. members and many longtime
friends. At least a half-dozen dozen unrelated Gay friends
visited dying Dave daily.
Dave's mother called Williamson early on Friday morning,
April 7th, at about 7 a.m., to sadly report: "Williamson, I'm
sorry to call you so early, dear. This is Dave's Mother. I'm
sorry to
tell you that my son and your friend, Dave West, has died in his
sleep".
Only four days after Dave's demise, there was an S.V.A. officials'
meeting pre-scheduled with U.S. Congressmember Carolyn Maloney.
This meeting included the induction of S.V.A. officers for the
new
year. Dave was a confirmed and enthusiastic planned attendee.
He's been there before. The Congressmember also knows Dave
from S.V.A. meetings and the Gay pride parades.
Although the S.V.A. considered requesting a postponement,
Williamson, who arranged the meeting, pronounced "That is definitely
not what Dave would have wanted". Instead, besides S.V.A.
officers, Williamson had Dave's mother Mitzi LaManna join them.
Congressmember Carolyn and her staff, particularly Minna and Juanita, were visibly impressed and
touched by this surprise and lovely gesture.
In remembrance of Dave West from public officials who knew Dave, the S.V.A. has received flowers from former President Clinton Oval Office Advisor Sean Maloney and letters of condolence from former N.Y.C. Mayor Ed Koch, U.S. Congressmember Carolyn Maloney, N.Y.S. Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, N.Y.S. Assemblymember Jonathan Bing and Attorney General candidate Andrew Cuomo as well as several N.Y.C. councilmembers.
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer's impressive letter was sent in the S.V.A. invitation mailing
for Dave West's Memorial Service and distributed to every attendee at said tribute.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Williamson L. Henderson, Chairperson
Mrs. Mitzi LaManna, Honorary, Dave West's Mother
Peter Mommers, Dave's Confidante
Personal Note: All of the above were also Dave's personal friends!
Dave West Memorial Service
Saturday, April 29, 2006 @ 5 p.m.Please R.S.V.P. to AnDre Christie at the S.V.A. at (212) 6-27-1969
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Condolence letter to Dave's mother Mitzi LaManna
will be placed here (when it is eventually re-located).
Among many others, you can also see Dave West at these S.V.A. weblinx:
Look at proud Dave West leading the SW-Vetz in the 1998 NYC Gay Pride Parade:
www.STONEWALLvets.org/parade/SW-29.htm
Dave leading the S.V.A. six-car flotilla in the 30th anniversary 1999 Gay Pride Parade: www.STONEWALLvets.org/parade/SW-30.htm
Visit Dave in one of his favorite events, "Stonewall Showtyme" at The Stonewall:
www.STONEWALLvets.org/QueenAllyson.htm
Dave parading with the S.V.A. in 2001 with WTC Twin Towers looming in the distance:
www.STONEWALLvets.org/parade/SW-32.htm
See Indian Chief Dave West leading the S.V.A. in the 2004 Gay Pride Parade at:
www.STONEWALLvets.org/parade/SW-35.htm
27 June
2010
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