Remembering Ramsey

Our longtime volunteer and dear friend, Jewel Ramsey, died a couple of  weeks ago. Ramsey, as he preferred to be known, was a stroke victim who simply refused to be put on the shelf. For many years, in spite of his paralysis, he was the energetic, enthusiastic, cheerful semi-official paper shredder and recycler for most of the work units at 121 Golden Gate. His obsession with the Oakland Raiders and his annual, repeated reminders that his birthday was approaching were part of the charm that endeared him to all of us.

Two years ago, when Ramsey didn’t show up to volunteer, two St. Anthony’s employees went to check on him, around the corner at Civic Center Residence (44 McAllister). They found him leveled by a new and devastating stroke. It erased most of his memory, including that of his favorite black & silver-clad football team across the Bay. After some weeks at SF General, Ramsey was transferred to a great residential care facility (Victorian Manor at 1444 McAllister). When we would visit him there, it was a challenge for him to remember who we were. But we were all relieved to observe what great care he was receiving, and that no stroke could squelch his sunny disposition.

So . one final reminder. RAMSEY’S BIRTHDAY IS COMING UP, two weeks from today on Friday, March 27th. We’ll remember him and celebrate the way we used to, with a Ramsey Birthday Breakfast. (Details to follow.) As Ramsey would have said: “You know it! You know it!”

“That’s what I’m talkin’ about!” And, “Fitz, that’s cold!”