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R.| The SRVA'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 14, Nineteen Hundred and.... Fifty-two! Dave is one of the most well-known and memorable Stonewall veterans, chiefly through the STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans Association ("S.R.V.A.") of the historic 1969 Stonewall Club Rebellion. Dave also has been a 'regular' in Greenwich Village since he was an enthusiastic, danceaholic Gay teen traveling down by train and/or bus from upstate patronizing The STONEWALL Gay Bar & Dance Club in 1969. One of his favorite sights on Christopher Street throughout the end of 1969, besides all of the boys, was the bold and beautiful, brand-new, metallic blue 1969 convertible belonging to young model and actor Willson Lee Henderson, who he would come to become longtime friends. Ironically, many years later, Dave West is a recognizable figure leading the outstanding S.R.V.A. contingency with that very 1969 blue "Stonewall Convertible" leading the annual New York City Gay Pride Parade. That car was the only vehicle impounded by the NYCPD during the Stonewall Uprising! Dave always wears something outstandingly unique, regal and/or sexy -- whether he be an Indian chief, a Navy sailor, a Gay pirate, a NYC policeman or a Yankee baseball player -- all the while steadfastly holding the rainbow Gay flag high and proud! Dave West is also an innovative entertainer, skilled dancer and crooning singer. Entertainment-wise, "Hurricane" Dave is much-requested for his "singing telegram" theatrical routines -- especially for birthdays and anniversaries -- with a seemingly endless array of impressive, exciting and sometimes daring characters and costumes. "Hurricane" is a forever popular, lively, featured performer in the SRVA's annual entertainment fund-raiser event "Stonewall Showtyme" at the Stonewall Club's second-floor cabaret room on Christopher Street in Greenwich Village, New York. |
SRVA's Prince Dave West with NYC's Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
[Photography by the Office of the Mayor of the City of New York]
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SRVA's Dave West in the now famous photo
Background: 1969 "Stonewall Convertible"
Also shown: Bill Miranda Salzman
[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 Willson Henderson after the 2005 Gay
Parade at the Hudson Corner Restaurant Outdoor Cafe
[Photography by DigitalPhotoPro@AOL.com]
After the SRVA's wonderful Public Relationist Dave West received an advance copy of this photo from the SRVA's legal counsel and photographer Hally Weiner, Esq. via Willson Henderson, 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 Rebellion Veterans Association! I love Willson! I love the 1969 Stonewall convertible! I love the Gay Pride Parade! And I love, love, love this great close-up picture of Willson and me. Love, Dave P.S. I wasn't going to come as the Indian this rough year but Willson said that you must, you can do it, do it for Gay pride, do it for you; you look swell, you'll be glad you did. He was right! It regained some of my confidence. It lifted my spirits! Thank you Hally 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.R.V.A. director Willson Lee Henderson ("WLH") for Friday the 13th of January 2006 at the Chelsea Cinemas Theatre. Comprising the S.R.V.A. group were Willson (host), Dave West (the motivation for the event), the SRVA's first vice-president Bert Coffman, the SRVA's ambassador Storme DeLarverie, Jenni Egan, Ramon Bellido, Michael Livote and Anton. Originally planning to attend, AnDre Christie (visiting his mother in the hospital) was in regular contact with Dave via 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 Willson generously purchasing everyone's movie tickets -- to also ensure that tickets to the film would not be sold out. Dinner and drinks were at the East of Eighth Restaurant on West 23rd Street 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 the landmark and highly-acclaimed "Brokeback Mountain"! A specially meaningful and cost-free (including safe taxi home) evening with friends was had by everyone, particularly Dave, who, so sadly, died within three months.
Dave West was added to the "Gay Urban Cowboys" website in 2007!
STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans Association business card for Dave West
.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dave
West 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 SRVA-er Dave planned to join
SRVA-ers Willson Henderson, Bert Coffman, Rose Giordano, Leigh McManus and Bill
Salzman plus Friends-of-SRVA Princess Jenni Egan, Michael Livoti and Anton Hauser besides AnDre
Christie at a NYS attormey general candidate Andrew M. 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 LaManna,
his brother, sister Lisa and nephews such as Taylor, several invited S.R.V.A.
members and many longtime friends. At least a half-dozen dozen
unrelated Gay friends visited dying Dave daily. Dave's
mother called Willson early on Friday morning, April 7th, at about 7
a.m., to sadly report: "Willson, 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.R.V.A. officials'
meeting pre-scheduled with U.S. Congressmember Carolyn J. Maloney.
This meeting included the induction of S.R.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.R.V.A. meetings and the Gay pride parades. Although the
S.R.V.A. considered requesting a postponement, Willson, who arranged
the meeting, pronounced "That is definitely not what Dave would have
wanted". Instead, besides S.R.V.A. officers Willson Henderson, Bert Coffman and Leigh McManus, they had Dave's
mother Mitzi LaManna join them. Congressmember Carolyn and her
staff, particularly chief-of-staff Minna Elias and scheduler Juanita Reyes, were visibly impressed and
touched by this surprise and lovely gesture.
*
In remembrance of Dave West from public officials who knew Dave through the STONEWALL Rebellion Veterans Association, the S.R.V.A. has received flowers from openly-Gay, former President Clinton Oval Office Advisor Sean Patrick Maloney and letters of condolence from former N.Y.C. Mayor Ed Koch, U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, N.Y.S. Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, U.S., Senator Hillary Clinton, N.Y.S. Assemblymember Jonathan Bing, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, NYC Judge Karen S. Burstein and NYS Attorney General candidate Andrew Cuomo as well as several N.Y.C. councilmembers such as Gale Brewer, Dan Garodnick, Melissa Viverito, Robert Jackson and Rosie Mendez, all of whom mentioned that they knew and appreciated Dave West many years via the S.R.V.A.
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer's impressive letter was
sent in the S.R.V.A. invitation mailing
for Dave West's Memorial Service and distributed to every attendee
at said tribute.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Willson Lee Henderson, Chairperson
Mrs. Mitzi LaManna, Honorary, Dave West's Mother
Peter Mommers, Dave's Confidante
Ramon Bellido, S.V.A. Board of Directors Member
Jonathan Lane, Dave's PhotographerPersonal Note: All of the above were also Dave West's personal friends!
Dave West Memorial Service
Saturday, April 29th, 2006 @ 5 p.m.Please R.S.V.P. to AnDre Christie at the S.R.V.A. at (212) 6-27-1969
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Condolence letter from Congress to Dave's mother Mitzi LaManna West
will be placed here, despite the long delay
due to misplaced document.
Trust us, we do have it somewhere!
*
filename: Dave_West_Carolyn-Maloney
*
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Among many others, you can also see Dave West at these S.R.V.A.
weblinx:
Look at proud Dave West leading the S/W-Vetz in the 1998 NYC Gay Pride
Parade:
www.StonewallVets.org/parade/SW-29.htm
Dave leading the S.R.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 Club:
www.STONEWALLvets.org/QueenAllyson.htm
Dave parading with the S.R.V.A. in 2001 with the WTC's Twin Towers
looming in the distance:
www.STONEWALLvets.org/parade/SW-32.htm
See Indian Chief Dave West leading the S.R.V.A. in the 2004 Gay
Pride Parade at:
www.STONEWALLvets.org/parade/SW-35.htm
*
*
7th April
2026
*
57th Anniversary of the S.R.V.A.
Https://www.StonewallVets.org/upcomingevents.htm
*
Remembrance of Dave LaManna West:*
=====2026:
57th Anniversary of the Gay Stonewall Rebellion in NYC=====
[Friday night, June 27
~through~ Thursday evening, July 3, 1969]
*
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