Memories of Ron Gorchov

August 19, 2020

I met Ron right after I moved to New York. Ron was a regular guy at the local coffee shop called The Black Flamingo. So was I. I felt lucky when I entered the coffeeshop and I found him. (He was usually reading the New York Times.) That was my favorite time of living in Red Hook. He was smart, open minded, and super-easy to talk to. He looked older than me, but it didn’t matter at all. We became good friends.

We had many conversations about many things. Sharing his life story, thoughts, and how much he loved Veronika… We started going to his favorite Japanese coffee place, HI-Collar

on the Lower East Side. He always ordered pancakes and gave me half.

He always said that a real New Yorker came from a different place to find themselves. It stuck in my head every time he said it. It encouraged me to start painting, and helped me to realize that I didn't have to do only music. New York is the place to try everything to find oneself. Some people are super inspiring in this city. I got so much energy and motivation from him.

I feel fear as everyone does, especially now. Especially losing someone who was so inspiring. But I try to imagine if I was going to ask Ron, what would he say?

My life is guided by people like Ron.

Thank you, Ron!

His favorite seat at HI-Collor in Lower East Side, 2017

Hang out at HI-Collor in Lower East Side, 2017

He showed up for my solo exhibition at Sunny's Bar, 2018

Visitng his new apartment in Red Hook, 2019

Visitng Ron and Veronika's dinner party with Tiziano in Red Hook, 2017

Visitng his show in Chelsea, NY 2017

Hangout at the Black Flamingo in Red Hook, Brooklyn, 2015

August 20, 2020

Fact is stranger than fiction.

I was walking on the street and found an almost dead butterfly. A wing was chipped, legs were missing. But they still had consciousness. I reached them and then they rode on my finger. They must be thirsty, so I tried to find water and a cup. Then I stopped the Black Flamingo to get those. It seemed like a butterfly was waiting gently to leave this world. I said goodbye to them.

Wait, was that butterfly Ron?

He tried to say goodbye to me. And I left him at the garden of The Black Flamingo where he used to go everyday for coffee. If so, that totally makes sense....

I just said goodbye to Ron.