1989b

Click here for Part 1 of 3 of the others in 1989 who died.
Click here for Part 3 of 3 of the others in 1989 who died.

Dick died on November 3 and was active in Texas politics. I didn't know Dick, but I did know his brother Philip who at the time was in his early 20s and worked for what was then called the Human Rights Campaign Fund (now the Human Rights Campaign). I've not kept in touch with Philip, but years later he became Chief of Staff for Mrs. Al Gore and then Assistant to the Vice President. Enter Dick Dufour's name in the search field of the Names Project and you will see four panels made specifically for him. He was obviously loved. I believe panel 2840 was made by his brother Philip.

Roger died in May in Stamford, Connecticut. He was a dear friend of Albert's.. I remember first meeting him at his house and asked who did all this wonderful art. He said Albert had. He confided to Albert later that night that I had the most divine blue eyes which Albert said he had not really noticed before (so typical!). Roger's partner Robert Stephenson died one month later (see below).

Robert died in June in Stamford, Connecticut. Robert was Roger's partner (see above). After he died, we inherited their cat Ferris who died on Thanksgiving day that same year. It was a bad year.

Dominick died in his late 20s on September 6 in New York. I will never forget his love of his partner Richard Cash, the nights on Fire Island, the second annual GMHC Morning Party (when it was not a circuit party but only 100 friends collecting money at in a tin can when no one else was doing a thing to raise money). And I remember him wearing those pocka dotted shorts!

Tim died in September in his early 30s. Tim was a waiter in the Capitol View Club when I was the manager and twice Employee of the Year. He was well loved by everyone. I remember him telling me of his house he bought with his lover Ron (in particular the bedroom with the fireplace). Years later, Albert found a house he wanted us to buy. When I went to see the house for the first time, it was the house Ron and Tim lived in six years earlier in the 80s. Albert had never met Ron or Tim. The house is now our home.

Burt died in September in his early 30s (I believe). Perhaps it's rude to remember his crooked penis or his New York loft apartment in Chelsea that was the size of a closet but oh so fabulous. Mostly, I remember the long mornings, Moon Shadows, the books, and his warm embrace.