Descanse En Paz Piri Thomas
Goofing around with Piri in the East Bay, July 2009.
It is with deep grief that I share the news of the passing of poet and author Piri Thomas. Through the years we developed a treasured friendship and became family. He really is a beloved Tío.
Tío Piri, as I mourn your passing the hardest thing is accepting a world without you in it. I simply cannot do that yet. I know you are smiling down on me, your laughter and word music still ring in my ears loud and clear. My deepest sympathy to the family, and to your beloved Suzie.
My last visit with Suzie and Piri was about a year ago. I shared a video clip with him for feedback on the progress of the American Boricua documentary film. He cracked a thousand and one jokes (I’m gonna be in your MOVIE? Wow kid, you’re alright! Let me change my shirt, I look good, but I want to look GOOD you know–HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!) and teasing me mercilessly about not being married yet. Then the usual loving complaint that I didn’t visit often enough.
That was Tío Piri.
It is eerie, yet somehow perfectly fitting, that I asked him this question over two years ago:
How do you want the world to remember you?
His answer: As me. As Piri.
He then began another beautiful flow of words, life, and poetry.
It is your generous spirit and love that have kept the fire of American Boricua burning bright.
Descanse En Paz Tío Piri.
I FIRST MET PIRI THOMAS WHEN I WAS MEMBER OF THE YDI (YOUTH DEVELOPEMENT CLUB) IT WAS ON SECOND AVE BETW 108 ST AND 109 TH ST.PIRI WORKED WITH AS OUR COUNSELOR. HE WORKED VERY HARD TO KEEP THE YOUTH OUT OF TROUBLE AND OUT OF POLICE HANDS.HE WAS VERY INSTUMENTAL IN TAKING US TO CHURCH ON SUNDAYS ON A BIG LUXURIUOS BUS THIS CHURCH WAS ON 52 ST BETW MADISON AND 5TH,OF COURSE WE WERE THE WEIRD POOR KIDS IN THE CONGREGATION. I GUESS THE RICH WHITE LOOKING CONGREGATION WERE GLAD WE WERE THERE ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME EACH SUNDAY MORNING.THE BEST PART OF THIS WEEKLY TRIP WAS THAT HE WD TAKE US TO THE NEDICKS ON 86 ST FOR LUNCH FOR A FREE FRANK AND SODA,I KNOW PIRI KNEW THAT THIS WD BE ONE OF THE VERY FEW MEALS WE WD HAVE ON SUNDAYS. HE KNEW HOW HAPPY WE GOT AFTER EATING THIS FABULOUS LUNCH OTHERWISE WE COULD NOT HAVE.THATS HOW I REMEMBER HIM .DOING GOOD FOR OTHERS. MY MOM WAS VERY FOND OF HIM,HE WORKED DELIGENTLY TO BE A POSITIVE FORCE IN MY BROTHER’S TROUBLED LIFE..I AM SO SAD THAT AS AN ADULT I DID NOT SEEK HIM,IT SADDENS ME TO SAY THIS BUT IT’S TRUE.I DO KNOW THAT HE WAS ONE OF THE MANY PEOPLE THAT PASSED BY MY LIFE TO INSPIRE ME TO DO THE RIGHT THING,AND PIRI DID THIS WELL FOR ME AND SO MANY OTHER YOUTHS,THAT NEEDED SOMEONE LIKE HIM AT LEAST ONCE IN THEIR LIFTIME WHEN LIVING IN ” EL BARRIO”. THE YDI WAS OPENED FOR AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES .ALSO FRIDAY TIL LATE AND SUN DAYS WE MET THERE WHERE WE WD BOARD THE BUS,RIGHT NOW I CAN SEE PIRI STANDING BY THE BUS AS WE BOARD.I KNOW NOW HE WAS BUSY COUNTING HIS SHEEP,ALWAYS MAKING SURE WE WOULD NOT STRAY AWAY. I LOVE YOU PIRI THOMAS,YOU WERE A TRUE SOLDIER OF GOOD TO SO MANY OF US,I AM SURE.TOOTSIE (AS HE KNEW ME)..RAMONA