Williamsburg Loses One Of Its Best: Luis Rivera R.I.P.

A number of you might have noticed that the menagerie at the corner of Bedford Avenue and North 1 Street hasn’t quite been up to snuff of late. Well, today I learned why and I regret to inform you, dear readers, of some incredibly bad news.

The man responsible for these tableaux which have delighted many a passerby over the years, Luis Rivera, has died.

Luis and I were not on a first name basis— but we knew each other one and the same. I often braved the madness that is Bedford Avenue for the sole purpose of seeing his latest creations. I made it a point to tell him how much they delighted me and occasionally he would tell me the story behind them. Arguably my favorite was from September of last year: he had his hallmark gorilla clad in a dress shirt sitting in front of a computer monitor with an airplane bottle of brandy.

He’s looking for an online date.

Luis explained. I laughed.

Goodbye, Luis. I suspect I speak on the behalf of the many people who loved your sense of whimsy but never knew your name when I write you will be missed. May you rest in peace.

Miss Heather

P.S.: You can see more of Mr. Rivera’s handiwork by clicking here, here and here.

Comments

4 Comments on Williamsburg Loses One Of Its Best: Luis Rivera R.I.P.

  1. d on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 3:31 pm
  2. This is terrible! His handiwork brightened many of my days. RIP, you will be missed.

  3. rowan on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 3:37 pm
  4. RIP indeed. A sense of humor is a rare thing sometimes. This world can use more of that.

  5. missheather on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 3:51 pm
  6. I think a move should be made to dedicate this strip of North 1 Street to Mr. Rivera.

  7. bitchcakes on Mon, 8th Feb 2010 8:16 pm
  8. That is sad. I’m sorry to hear it. He will be missed by more people than he could have realized.

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