Ron Harmount Jr., of Minneapolis, MN died on May 4, 2021 in his home. It is unknown if he died of natural causes or Covid, however, as a long-term HIV/AIDS survivor, it may be that the disease weakened his immune system and therefore had an impact on his death.

The Minnesota Deaf and DeafBlind communities felt the great impact of the loss of Ron. He was very active in the communities; a mentor, teacher, advocate and a dear, dear friend to many.

Ron was known for his twinkling eyes and bright smile, and when you were hugged by Ron, you KNEW you were hugged.  We miss him dearly.

Submitted by Paul Deeming

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Ronald Harmount, Jr.

Age 54, of Minneapolis, MN, born December 14, 1966 in Columbus OH, and passed unexpectedly on May 4, 2021. His death was due to his ongoing health conditions. Preceded in death by mother, Beora. Survived by father, Ronald; sisters, Beatrice (Delbert), Birdena (Roger) NaveJar & Josie; uncle, Edward (Mary) Hart; 6 nephews; 4 nieces; 5 great-nephews; and 3 great-nieces. He was always proud of his family especially nephews/nieces and great-nephews/nieces. Graduated from Ohio School for the Deaf Class of 1985 and went to Gallaudet College in D.C., Class of 1990. Ron Jr’s heart was very marvelous and he loved to participate in a lot of organizations. His highly positive nature was lifting and Ron Jr’s sense of humor filled their people’s lives and could easily turn their laughter into tears of joy. Ron Jr was loving and always joyful in his life.

Source: Epilogg

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Ronald Harmount, Jr.

Harmount, Ronald Jr. 1966-2021 “Ron Jr” Harmount, age 54, passed away on Tuesday, May 4, 2021. He is preceded in death by his mother Beora. He is survived by his father, Ronald; 3 sisters, & many loved ones. Condolences.

Source: Crescent Tide | Submitted by Mark Bryd 

June 26, 1945 – November 27, 2020

Guy Wonder passed away on November 27th in Southern California at the age of 75 after a long battle with cancer. While he did not die specifically from AIDS/HIV, he was a long-term HIV+ survivor which weakened his immune system, making it harder for him to recover. Prior to his passing, we asked if he wanted to be listed on this website and his family said yes.

Guy was a man of many talents. He was a gifted and passionate artist and a wonderful storyteller. He was also a gay leatherman.

Guy grew up in a Deaf family (3rd generation) in Vancouver, Washington and attended Washington School for the Deaf. He also attended the National Technical Institute of the Deaf in Rochester, NY where he studied art. Guy lived in many different cities during his lifetime including NYC, San Francisco and Palm Springs.

Earlier this year, he participated in the Deaf Queer Art exhibition where some of his art was featured. Some of his art and more about him can be viewed here:

https://dyerartscenter.omeka.net/exhibits/show/deafqueerart/guywonder

He will be greatly missed.

David R. Beatman was born on November 27, 1942 and died on November 7, 1992. He was from Hartford, CT and graduated from Gallaudet College in 1967.

David worked for the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. He was also Deaf and gay and passed away from a complication related to AIDS.

The above is David’s Gallaudet graduation photograph.

Submitted by Louis Schwarz

Obituary in the New York Times

Bruce Hlibok, 34, A Broadway Actor And a Playwright

Bruce Hlibok, a deaf actor who played on Broadway, died on June 23 at his home in Jersey City. He was 34.

He died of pneumonia, his family said.

Mr. Hlibok (pronounced LEE-bock), who grew up in Jamaica, Queens, and graduated from the Horace Mann School in Riverdale, the Bronx, received a bachelor’s degree in play writing from New York University in 1985. He wrote several plays that ran Off Broadway, including “Going Home” in 1980, “Woman Talk” in 1984 and “The Deaf Mute Howls” in 1988.

But Mr. Hlibok first gained notice in 1978 when he portrayed one of the children from broken homes in the Joseph Papp production of the Elizabeth Swados play “Runaways.” After an Off Broadway run, the musical went to the Plymouth Theater on Broadway. In a review in The New York Times, Richard Eder wrote, “Mr. Hlibok’s mute gestures remain one of the haunting visual underpinnings to many of the songs.”

Mr. Hlibok made several appearances on television, including a role as a student in the series “The Equalizer,” and as a guest performer on the 1978 Tony Awards ceremony. He also wrote a book, “Silent Dancer” (Simon & Schuster, 1981), about how his sister, who is also deaf, learned ballet with the Joffrey Ballet School.

He is survived by his parents, Peggy and Albert, of Flushing, Queens; his companion, William Fry of Jersey City; two brothers, Stephen, of Columbia, Md., and Gregory, of Flushing, and a sister, Nancy Amann of Phoenix.A version of this article appears in print on July 2, 1995, Section 1, Page 32 of the National edition with the headline: Bruce Hlibok, 34, A Broadway Actor And a Playwright.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/02/obituaries/bruce-hlibok-34-a-broadway-actor-and-a-playwright.html (Submitted by Stephen Hlibok)

See also:

• The Bruce Hlibok Story by Jade Films: https://www.jadefilm.com/the-bruce-hlibok-story
• Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Hlibok
• Deaf Mosaic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkpMqlpuJIQ
• 1991 ASL Literature Conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDhiUfcPkaY

July 10, 1950 – April 8, 2018

John passed away peacefully on April 8, 2018 surrounded by his friends and family.

John was the youngest son of Edward and Mary (Jakus) Hardel.  He was born in Winnebago, Wisconsin.  He was a 1969 graduate of Wisconsin School for the Deaf in Delavan, Wisconsin. He then went on to NTID in Rochester, New York. His employment history was vast and notable. He worked for Berlin Chapman in Berlin, WI; IRS internship in Boston, MA; Merrill Lynch in Rochester, NY; Lawyers Coop in Webster, NY; AT&T in Boston, MA; American Express in Phoenix, AZ; and Usher Syndrome Coalition, Boston, MA. John also spent many hours Volunteering his time. He served on the committee and executive committee of the Rochester Area task force on AIDS; He was a certified peer educator for people diagnosed with HIV through the NYS AIDS institute; He was a certified HIV/ AIDS trainer; he served on the AIDS Garden Committee; he taught sign language; and he was a member of the Consumer AIDS Committee at Trillium Health.

John came from a very large family that he loved to talk about. He was the youngest of 3 children, an Uncle, Great Uncle, and Great Great Uncle.

His older Brother Joe Jakus ( Bernice) of Henrietta, NY and their family; Alan (Kris) Jakus of Hemlock, NY; Steve (Mary) Jakus of Irondequoit, NY and their children Erica and Jessica; Pamela (Tom, deceased) Bertolone of Henrietta, NY and their children Jacqueline and Mathew; Julie Jakus of Henrietta, NY and her children Joshua and Jacob; and Jackie Tebeau of Henrietta, NY and her son Zachary.

His older sister Jane DeBot- Garzone (Tom, deceased) of East Rochester, NY and her family; Brian (Kennetha) DeBot, of Rochester, NY and their children Dana (deceased), Kenneth, Sarah, Jessica, and Arika; Craig DeBot of  East Rochester, NY; Annette (Tim) Herlihy of Oshkosh, WI and their children Timothy Jr., Tianna, Taelynn, Tiernan, and Tanner; Danelle ( Joe) Jarvis of Brockport, NY and their children Joseph, Thomas, Tyler, Aydien, and Michael.

He had many Great great nieces and nephews.

John was an active member of Rochester Recreational Club for the Deaf. He was a part of DEAR. He loved to played cards there, especially Oh Hell and Euchre.

A memorial was held at RRCD, On May 6, 2018.

Donations may be made in John’s name to either the Isaiah House or Trillium Health Deaf Services.

Submitted by Ed Kelly

September 23, 1974 – November 29, 2018

Michael Ray Henson passed from this life on Thursday, November 29, 2018 in Austin, Texas.  He was born on September 23, 1974, the son of Elvin Ray and Joyce Berry Henson.  Michael lost his mom in a tragic accident when he was very young and was later blessed with having Vicki Coats to help raise him. 

Michael graduated from Douglass High School in 1993, and then attended Austin Community College where he gained an associate degree in sign language and interpreting in 2007.  He thoroughly enjoyed his life in Austin and made many friends there that he considered family, as well.  Michael loved being around people and devoted himself to his community in Austin.  He spent many hours with his friends, who nicknamed him “Hey Hey”, camping and sitting around the campfire enjoying the company of others.  Although Michael was outspoken and sometimes loud, he was compassionate and would help anyone who needed it.  Michael absolutely loved drinking coffee, a passion he likely got from his dad. 

His favorite place to be was on Lake Travis or the Guadalupe, when he had a chance.  Michael was known to be an ever-present attendee at the church in downtown Austin on Saturdays and Sundays.  He also adored his chihuahua’s Riley and Nikki.  Michael will forever be remembered for his happy smile and big blue eyes.

Michael is survived by his father, Elvin Ray Henson and wife, JoBeth of Nacogdoches; Vicki Coats, who loved him like her own son, and her fiancé, Ron Springfield of Nacogdoches; siblings, Brandi Byers Hightower and husband, William Greer of Seabrook, Chris Henson of Nacogdoches and Tina Dee Long of Douglass; nieces, Madeline Byers of Seabrook and Christa Henson of Jasper; nephews, Landon Byers of Seabrook, Brandon Asher of Nacogdoches and Cason Lane of Douglass. 

He is preceded in death by his mom, Joyce Lynn Berry Henson.

A memorial visitation was held on Monday, December 3, 2018 at Laird Funeral Home.

Submitted by Rebecca Trotter

Note from Rebecca: Michael Henson was from Nacogdoches, TX but lived a good part of his life in Austin. He died on Nov 28 and was an interpreter.

March 20, 1959 – January 10, 1998

Juanita Greggs, the daughter of William Stewart and Annie Greegs was born March 20, 1959 in Brooklyn, NY. She departed this life on January 10, 1998.

She attended J.H.S. 210 and later Erasmus HIgh School. She received her high school equivilency diploma and a degree in auto mechanics a few years later at job corps in Oneota, NY.

Juanita was always the life of the party. She gave good advice and was there when anybody needed her. She tried to counsel and encourage young people, she was an inspiration to all who were privileged to know her.

Juanita was also known in her younger days as Nita or Boogie. She is survived by her parents, her step mother Bernice Steward, her brothers Aaron and Victor Carl Greggs, her 3 sisters Valerie Rodney, Marie Greggs and Ages Ellerby, as well as 3 stepbrothers: Broderick and the twins, Uncle Alonzo, Phillip and Nathaniel, 3 aunts Juanita, Louise, and Rozlynn, 2 brother-in-laws David and Dillion, 2 special-in-laws Barbara and Angie, 3 very close cousins Diane, Shanda, Arlene as well as 14 nephews and nieces, 1 great nephew and many other loving cousins, family and friends.

Submitted by the Rev. Deacon Dr. Gene Bourquin

Note from Rev. Bourguqin: Juanita passed away around 1998 and was about 32 years old. Juanita was born sighted-hearing and became deaf and blind due to HIV virus medications.

Harry Woosley, Jr.
August 20, 1941 – March 2, 2018

Harry Woosley, Jr., affectionally known as “Auntie Abbe”, died on March 2, 2018 at the age of 76. He was Deaf, proudly gay and was one of our community’s early HIV/AIDS educators. Harry founded the Deaf AIDS Project in Baltimore, Maryland in 1990.

Harry was also Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf’s second President, serving from 1981-1983.

Leather was one of Harry’s many passions and he was a long-time member of the Leather community and a Lifetime Brother Emeritus of the Baltimore Leather Association of the Deaf (BLADeaf).

The following is Harry’s official obituary:

Harry Woosley, Jr., 76, passed away peacefully at Frederick Memorial Hospital on March 2, 2018.

He was born on August 20, 1941 in Danville, Kentucky, the eldest son of the late Harry Thomas Woosley, Sr. and Ermal (May) Woosley. He leaves behind a brother, John T. Woosley (Carolyn), formerly of Adamstown and currently of Columbia, South Carolina, and their sons, Clint and Jesse (Marisa) Woosley and Harry’s great-niece Sierra and great-nephew Sage, all of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Harry was educated at the Kentucky School for the Deaf, Danville. In his 20’s, he learned to be a leader and served as a pastor with the Church of Christ in Michigan, before entering the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) in Rochester, New York, then graduating from the Rochester Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work. As a leader, he held the distinction of having served two non-successive terms as president of the NTID Student Congress. He loved acting, and performed for the NTID Theater in A Streetcar Named Desire, Romeo and Juliet, and School for Wives. He had a major role in Celebration. After his graduation, he was employed by the Maryland School for the Deaf in Frederick as a residential counselor for five years before moving to Baltimore to be a counselor, then social worker, for Family Services Foundation. Over time, he became a strong advocate for deaf individuals with HIV and AIDS and founded the Deaf AIDS Project to further awareness among the deaf population. He relocated to Frederick a number of years ago. His favorite pastimes were doing intensive reading and genealogy.

A private service was held at the Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Frederick, MD.

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See also: A Tribute to Harry by Ricky Taylor

November 8, 1959 ~ January 10, 2018 (age 58)

Mark D. Kemmerer, age 58, of Dormont (part of the Pittsburgh metro area), Pennsylvania, died from HIV-related complications on Wednesday, January 10, 2018.

Mark was the son of the late George and Nancy Kemmerer; brother of Judith K. Murphy, David L. Kemmerer and Craig A. Kemmerer. He is also survived by 1 niece and 3 nephews. No Visitation. Services Private. Arrangements entrusted to the Leo J. Henney Funeral Home, Carnegie.

Submitted by Bob Donaldson and Carel Dunaway

Julio Nunez Genao
July 15, 1955 – July 14, 1989

Julio Genao died Friday, July 14, at 2:15 a.m. of AIDS at Coming Home Hospice. He was deaf, short, and very cute.

He was born in the Dominican Republic and had many friends. We didn’t all know each other but we all knew Julio. He had some amazing qualities. Committed and tolerant beyond most human thresholds, he was tenacious, feisty, and sustained an independence that was remarkable. Always underlying this captivating being was a loving, tender man. We all knew and felt it, and it’s what attracted us all.

Everyone who had the privilege of knowing this little man, this big sweet presence, knew this. We all were blessed with something extra: a bit of magic perhaps; a special form of light. For a time we had this precious moment called Julio – the little gestures, his own style of sign – and then he left as quickly as he came. When the dancer disappears, only the dance remains.

Thank you for sharing your dance with us, beautiful boy. Thank you for the sweetness you brought to our hearts.

Source: Bay Area Reporter