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<font size=4><b>The Passing of Piri Thomas 1928-2011<br><br>
</b></font><font size=3>Beloved Puerto Rican-American author and poet
Piri Thomas died Monday, October 17, 2011, in his home in El Cerrito, CA
surrounded by his loving wife, Suzie, his children and caregivers, after
succumbing to pneumonia.<br><br>
Born September 30, 1928, in Harlem Hospital, New York City, of a Puerto
Rican mother and Cuban father, his early years were documented in 1967 in
his bestselling book, <i>Down These Mean Streets</i>, for which he was
best known. He later wrote two other novels, <i>Savior Savior Hold My
Hand</i> and <i>Seven Long Times</i>, several plays (<i>The Golden
Streets</i> and <i>Ole Ole Oy Vey</i>), a book of short stories
(<i>Stories from El Barrio</i>) , many poems, and recorded two CDs of
poetry and music (Sounds of the Streets and No Mo' Barrio Blues). Three
award-winning films (<i>Petey and Johnny</i>, <i>The World of Piri
Thomas,</i> and <i>Every Child is Born a Poet</i>) were made about him.
<br><br>
He spoke and performed at countless events at colleges, high schools,
middle schools, senior centers, community gatherings, political rallies
for peace and justice causes, and many more, while encouraging a whole
generation of young people to be socially responsible in their career
choices, and to write and perform poetry, which subsequently birthed the
new wave of "spoken word" that has appeared throughout the
country. His intuitive grasp of identity, race, and class issues inspired
everyone he touched as his ideas were grounded in his moral authority and
personal sense of dignity. He was sincere and generous to a fault.
<br><br>
He is survived by his wife, Suzie Dod Thomas, of El Cerrito, CA, six
children, Peter Stacker of Chicago, Ricardo Thomas and SanDee Thomas of
Orlando, FL, Raina Thomas and Tanee Thomas of Columbia, SC, and Renee
Shank of Seattle; and 7 grandchildren, Megan, Brenann and Eryn Stacker,
AJ Linares, Arielle and Kristen Thomas, and Sahali Shively, three
stepchildren, Michael and Laura Olenick of NY, and David Elder of Los
Angeles, and two step granchildren, Jacob and Lily Olenick.<br><br>
The family requests no flowers or gifts. Written sentiments may be sent
to <a href="mailto:Cheverote@aol.com">Cheverote@aol.com</a> or 2503
Edwards Ave. El Cerrito, CA 94530. Tax deductible donations (payable to
Social Justice, earmarked for the Piri Thomas Fund) maybe made in his
name and sent to:<br><br>
Piri Thomas Memorial Fund<br>
C/O Social Justice/Global Options<br>
PO Box 40601<br>
San Francisco, CA 94140<br><br>
To date, memorials are being planned for the Bay Area, New York, and
Orlando, Florida. Dates to be announced.<br><br>
For more information, please e-mail:<br><br>
Suzie Dod Thomas at
<a href="mailto:Cheverote@aol.com">Cheverote@aol.com</a> <br><br>
or view his website,
<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=hlnfsnbab&et=1108211829900&s=19039&e=001PSmc3E8axXRH2p9ImX8XM0CdNERxJ6mXF8UrfA8PfrMBUpHLK2CdDIVYoI90NRdEP3IkjE6u1IP6GocPvEcXrYvXnYMOM4pSiirztI7Sdu0SDDSpxZBrgQ==">
www.Cheverote.com</a> <br><br>
<i>No phone calls, please.<br><br>
<br><br>
</i></font><x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>
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522 Valencia Street<br>
San Francisco, CA 94110<br><br>
</font><font size=3 color="#008000">415 863-9977<br><br>
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