Chuy passed away?

I have been a reader of this message board on and off for years, but was never impelled to register and post until I learned here of Chuy’s death. Shock, sadness, disbelief were my first responses but I had to discard that third, disbelief, when his death was confirmed to me by another of Madera’s dear souls, Norma Ramirez. My disbelief is now reserved for the rumor his death was related to excessive alcohol consumption. Once taking a break at my table between spurts of running onto the beach to lure customers with offers of tequila, Chuy told me that he himself did not drink alcohol, was a vegetarian and very careful about his health. Over the years of my knowing him, he gave me no reason to doubt the truth of that. He was a dear, smart, playful, loving man who brought joy and friendship to so many on Playa Madera. I hate to hear his memory besmirched by rumors of drunken, irresponsible behavior. That is just not who I knew him to be. Reportedly his companeros are saying he died from a blow to his head, on a day he played soccer and his injury was “misinterpetada.” That’s vague, also just a rumor as far as I can say, but a rumor of his dying from soccer-related injuriy makes more sense to me than a rumor of his dying from alcohol.

I have a wonderful picture of him that I will post when I figure out how to do that.