Mae West: Ramfis Diaz

MAE WEST collectors are everywhere but a most extraordinary West Coast Mae-maven has, unfortunately, left us at 3:00 AM on Sunday morning, 15 May 2011 in Southern California. Born in Tucson, Arizona, Ramfis Anthony Diaz [20 February 1963 — 15 May 2011] began his extensive acquisition of Westiana around the time that Mae starred in "Myra Breckinridge" [1970], when he was quite young. Around 1994, Ramfis, then a 31-year-old musician, instituted a yearly tradition of having a festive open house in the Hollywood area to honor Mae West on August 17th. Despite being in deep mourning for his close friend, Damon Devine has very kindly consented to write an obituary. We share this heartfelt remembrance with all of you.
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• • Damon Devine writes: I cannot believe I am writing this, as it still seems surreal. Ramfis Diaz, one of the most well known and loved in the West Coast Mae West Circle, has died. He was 48 and lived in Los Angeles.
• • An August 17th tradition: Ramis organized and hosted our annual Mae West Birthday Party, each August 17th. Rain or shine, he made it happen. During those years when money was scarce, we still had a little food and lots of Mae West. During times of plenty, the party-goers were treated to lots of refreshments and even more Mae West.
• • It is my vote to end this August 17th tradition now, however, since the once-joyful parties will no longer be the same without him. I, for one, don't feel worthy enough to make it happen; moreover, I do not want to commingle a deep sadness along with our celebration of Mae West. Our party was full of fellowship and high spirits. At least to me, we should remember it for what it was. Ramfis used to always put my name on the cake along with Mae's. I never had the heart to tell him my birthday was July 28th! It was a beautiful gesture though.
• • A well-loved gentleman: EVERYONE loved Ramfis, absolutely everyone. There wasn't a mean bone in his body. His real friends can he counted in the hundreds, his memorable acquaintances in the thousands. He was a sex symbol in his own right (and a total inspiration to me) who lived a very Mae West lifestyle, as far as being free and finding the notion of monogamy somewhat bewildering. Despite his naughty nature, there was an incredibly endearing naivety about him, an almost childlike innocence in other areas of life. I have never known anyone like him.
• • Our first meeting: In 1992 I had originally met Ramfis when I worked at a movie memorabilia shop in Hollywood. We were immediate friends in our love of Mae West, and we became like brothers. All these many years, Ramfis called me "little brother" (— — here come the tears, at last). Having had no siblings, this always meant more to me than he could have ever known.
• • One man's museum dedicated to Mae West: His Mae West collection was the most massive I had ever seen. And not a millimeter of it was based on greed! He loved Mae West as though she were a beloved relative or a Goddess who brought him both inspiration in life, and consolation in tough times. Outside of his work, friendships, and romances, Mae West was a huge part of his life. His apartments were always covered with Mae West memorabilia, and, in fact, he played songs from Mae West's films on piano, in public, many times. I adore Mae West (my tattoos of her vouch for that!) — — but Ramfis could make even ME cringe, as he gushed over her to throngs of leather-clad men with full beards in a bar he worked at, photo album pages flipping, exclaiming: "Doesn't she look amazing for 53? This photo is from Come On Up, 1946!!" He was completely oblivious to their total lack of interest! They were there for "other reasons" but that was what was so dear about Ramfis. When it came to his love for Mae West, there were no boundaries. He felt, quite strongly, that EVERYONE needed a little Mae West in their lives. She was, undoubtedly, his greatest love. If there is an afterlife of some kind, I hope Mae West is waiting for him. That is my only consolation today — — in that I know nothing would please him more.
• • • • Written exclusively for the Mae West Blog by Damon Devine, Los Angeles, CA.
• • • • PUBLIC MEMORIAL for RAMFIS DIAZ • • • •
• • Funeral services for Ramfis Anthony Diaz will be held on Thursday, 26 May 2011. Visiting hours will be from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM in order to accommodate Ram's loved ones, coworkers, and neighbors. Ram's brother Danny tells me that McKenzie Mortuary seats 70 people only, so the family decided to hold services at the church in Long Beach instead; capacity there is 400.
• • WHERE: First United Presbyterian, 600 East 5th Street [corner of 5th & Atlantic], Long Beach, CA. First United Presbyterian is more suitable for the crowd of mourners that will be expected next week.
• • INFO: Tel. (562) 436-9707.
• • Comments in loving remembrance of the deceased can be posted here. Thank you for stopping here to offer your kindness meant for the family of Ramfis Diaz.
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• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • Reflecting upon the death of Mae West celebrant Ramfis Diaz, Ian Macnicol told Damon Devine: I am desperately sorry to hear this sad news. Ramfis was such a kind and gentle man. Although I only met him a few times, he was someone I always hoped I would meet again. His loss must be very great to those who knew him well. Don't be too quick to decide that there will be no more Mae West parties — — continuing them in his name would be a lovely way of commemorating him. I am sending out good thoughts to his family and friends at this sad time.
• • Source: public posting about the death of Ramfis Diaz
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • The Sahara Hotel, where Mae West introduced "The Mae West Revue," is no more.
• • LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AFP) — Las Vegas marks the end of an era this week as one of the US gambling mecca's last original "Rat Pack" casino-hotels, the Sahara, finally closes its doors. Opened in 1952, the Sahara hosted everyone from Mae West, Elvis Presley, and Jerry Lewis to Frank Sinatra and the Beatles in the 1950s and 60s, and their photos still decorate the walls above the reception. ...
• • Source: Article: "End of an era as Vegas casino closes" written by Romain Raynaldy for AFP; posted on Sunday, 15 May 2011
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started seven years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 1932nd blog post. Unlike many blogs, which draw upon reprinted content from a newspaper or a magazine and/ or summaries, links, or photos, the mainstay of this blog is its fresh material focused on the life and career of Mae West, herself an American original.
• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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