Honoring Richard Crooks
The man who started it all, Richard Crooks. We will honor his memory once again at this years parade.
Honoring Nancy Robinson
Nancy R. Robinson was born Nancy Nell Rose in 1924 in St Paul, Minnesota. She married Seymour B. Robinson in 1946 and they began their family, moving to Chappaqua, New York, to watch them grow. Once Andrea, Nina, Martha, and Jim became adults and moved on, Nancy and Sy relocated to Ocala, Florida, where life began anew. In 1996, Seymour passed away, beginning Nancy’s fourth life in 1999 as a full-time Key West resident. Here, Nancy was known as a patron of the arts, board member to numerous organizations, supporter of many charitable causes, but mostly a regular presence in the Key West music scene, supporting venues and musicians alike. She regularly watched her son-in-law, Richard Crooks, Nina's husband, as he performed with many of Key West’s, and the country’s finest musicians. An aging body never stayed her youthful spirit, nor her time spent in being a loving and loved Key West presence. She always remained available for her friends and her causes, and most of all, continued assuring that opportunities opened for those whom she could encourage, support, and love.
Honoring Larry Douglas
Lawrence “Larry” H. Douglas was born in Watertown, NY in 1935. He joined the US Navy and served aboard the USS Sabalo, a diesel submarine. Thanks to the GI Bill, he obtained a degree from the State University of New York at Oswego and then taught junior high school in Watertown. In 1962 he married Barbara and they moved to Syracuse, NY where he earned his PhD from Syracuse University while teaching at the University of Rochester.
In 1973 Larry and Barbara moved with their three children, Nancy, Kate, and Tom, to New Hampshire, where for 28 years Larry was both a Dean and a Professor of History at Plymouth State College. He continued his service in the Navy Reserve, was recalled to active duty during Operations Desert Shield/Storm as the naval historian for Central Command, and retired as a decorated captain in 1991.
A surprise trip for Barbara’s birthday in 2003 was the first visit to Key West for the Douglas family. Larry loved the warmth of the sun, the boats in the harbor, the smell of salt air, the rich history of the island, the friendliness of everyone, and especially the music. He was happy to wear shorts, a t-shirt, and sandals in the winter months, leaving the snow shoveling and shivering behind. He and Barbara spent several winters here, eventually purchasing a home in Old Town within walking distance to their favorite haunts – B. O.’s Fish Wagon and Finnegan’s Wake. Larry thoroughly enjoyed hearing good music all over town, especially when Richard Crooks or Barry Cuda were performing with the island’s other world class musicians. Many of these fantastic artists have become great friends, as have those with whom Larry and Barbara enjoyed the music. Larry made friends with ease and those who knew him will fondly remember his wide grin and finger-tapping joy. We thank you all for your friendship and love.
Honoring Robert “The KiD" Yaniz
Born January 15th 1962 Miami Florida Died September 8th 2014
Youngest of 5 siblings: Josefina (Fefa), Tony (Fat), Carlos (Chiqui) , Barbara (Babelyn)
As the youngest of five, he acquired the tag “The Kid” almost at birth. Our family lived in a very poor area of Miami after leaving Cuba in 1960
He attended Buena Vista Elementary School, and Robert E. Lee Jr. High School, and Miami Senior High.
Although Robert never had a formal higher education, he became extremely adept at figuring out the angles and getting to the heart of the matter. He worked in the hospitality industry in Coconut Grove after High School and then moved to Key West for a couple of years and then moved to Orlando where he continued in the same industry. At age 25 he was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and had to go on disability. He lived with the illness for almost thirty years. During the last two decades of his life he dedicated himself to helping other of his friends and acquaintances navigate the maze of government red tape as well as the medical ones. Whenever someone hit a road block, someone would say “Go see Robert, he will show you how!” He never developed full blown AIDS, partially because he lived on a regimen of a bagful of prescriptions every day and perhaps because he was one of those who were able to fight the full effects of the disease.
He had a green thumb and when it came to Orchids, he was known as the “Orchid Whisperer”. Even when it seemed that the orchid had died, he nurtured it until it came back to life.
Two years ago he moved to Miami to live with his sister Barbara, who nursed him for many months as his health, both physical as well as psychological was deteriorating. After a few months he wanted to go back to his home in Orlando. A week later he was found dead of coronary heart disease.
The last time I spoke to him a couple of weeks before his death I told him to try to look at the glass half-full. He laughed and told me, “It’s neither half-dull nor half-empty, there is no glass, and everything is gone. The loves of my life are dead, my best friends are dead, and although I know have a family that loves me it’s getting harder to want to wake up every morning!”
He had a deep love for his family and for Key West. Today his name is inscribed at the AIDS Memorial at White Street Pier, Robert “The Kid” Yaniz. I’m sure he would approve.
He was a good man, a good friend and a great brother. May he Rest In Peace.