| Testimonials |
Total Amount:
$50.00
Item Title: Nestor
Ray's
Funeral Fund
Item Number: via
Planet
Tango
Buyer: Walter Kane
Para Nestor
Ray de parte
de Walter & MariLynne Kane
Dear Nestor,
We were only
together on
one occasion, but it was an important occasion in our tango life. You
and
Patricia were our teachers at Planet Tango's Labor Day Getaway in 2000.
You taught
milonga.
We were together
for three
classes. As the classes progressed, two things became clear. One was
that
you two were completely dedicated to giving us your best.... you really
wanted us to learn to dance milonga, and you committed all your
energies
to accomplish that. The other was that learning it was going to be
fun...you
delighted us with your clowning, which did not disguise your
skill.
You were
successful on both
counts. Before that weekend, we were never confident about getting out
on the floor for milonga. By the time it was over, all that changed.
You
provided the breakthrough for us. Since then we can't stay off the
floor
when milonga plays.
Whenever we dance
milonga
now we think of you.
Thank you.
With love,
Walter &
MariLynne Kane
(Los Tangringos)
Harriman, NY
|
| Para Nestor
de parte
de TimmyTango, Cleveland, Ohio
I only spent 7
days with
Nestor and Patricia, on two occasions, and it was like Nestor and I
bonded
together like brothers each time. I don't know if any one else felt
this
feeling, but I'm sure it happens everywhere he stays.
Nestor was to be the
best
man at my wedding. But do to many matters, that didn't happen. It was a
very sorrowful day for me not to have Nestor here on my special day.
The
two weeks before I was very concerned because we couldn't find him, and
I spent many hours writing people to see if they knew where he was.
If one was to
look at my
dancing style, any one would say I resemble Nestor. And that says what
my feelings are for Nestor. I am definitely not as smooth as Nestor,
but
I'm getting better every day. I love the traspie and smoothness of all
his dancing. The quickness, spontaneity, and playfulness will always be
remember by me. Just yesterday Joanne and were watching the video of
when
he was here and practicing some of his moves. One of the best parts of
being a promoter in my city is when the guest teachers stay in my home.
Some I don't get very close to, but it's hard not to get close to
Nestor.
His willingness to share everything he know, so everyone can tango
better.
On my honeymoon
in BsAs last
month, I was speaking to many of the Milongueros there, Much respect
was
shown to Nestor whenever his name popped up. I know
He is loved and
respected
by everyone there. I don't know what else to say, other than I love you
Nestor
Timmy
|
| Para Nestor
de parte
de Steve Fox y Donna Lefurgey
Dear Nestor,
When we had just
started
learning tango and meeting Portenos, you were one of the teachers at
Alberto
and Valorie's Reno event in 2000. You charmed us with your
energy, warmth,
humor, and
fantastic footwork. Someone took a picture after the workshop of
you and Steve dancing apilado. It remains on our wall, one of our
dearest memories of
an unforgettable
teacher. We hold you in our hearts and wish that you be well and
happy. Sweet man, know how much you are loved all over the
world.
Steve and Donna
Albuquerque
|
| Nestor Has
Left Us
Dear Friends:
Sadly, the tango
world has
lost another great milonguero, maestro and friend. I just heard from
Patricia
Garcia (Nestor's ex-wife) that Nestor Ray died just a few hours ago. He
had apparently been in a coma since yesterday or the day before. At the
very least, he was able to return to his beloved Buenos Aires and die
with
his family near him. Thanks to those of you who helped him over the
past
year while he was battling the cancer that destroyed his body. Before
he
returned to Buenos Aires he told me how much the support of his
students,
friends and colleagues meant to him. Those of us who were present at
Norah's
Place for the little benefit that we organized for Nestor a few weeks
ago
will never forget seeing him dance for the last time. As frail as he
was,
he danced a tango with Guillermina Quiroga in his signature rhythmic,
playful
style. Although it was obviously a tremendous strain on him, he then
insisted
on dancing a milonga. It was something to see! And the love and respect
obvious on Guillermina's face as she followed him was incredibly
touching.
Nestor taught me so much. I know I am a better dancer and teacher
because
of him. I will miss him.
--Linda Valentino
|
| Tango is in
mourning,
Nestor Ray died today
Today May 22,
2003 at 4 PM
Buenos Aires local time, our dearest Nestor Ray passed away, fifteen
days
after he had returned to his beloved Buenos Aires.
His sister Josefa
Luisa Riaino
indicated that he died peacefully following a cardiac arrest and that
his
body is currently resting at her home in the locality of Moron, outside
the capital city of Buenos Aires, pending funeral arrangements.
We know for a
fact that Nestor's
family can use a significant amount of financial aid to provide Nestor
with a decent and dignified funeral, and we are at this time making
arrangements
to wire money to Buenos Aires to the tune of $750 via Western Union by
tomorrow's day end.
Anybody
interested in contributing
to this fund should contact Valorie and I via e-mail or telephone
(504.894.1718)
until we find the best way to direct all contributions so they can
reach
Nestor's sister ASAP.
Of course,
anybody who wishes
to approach the subject of Nestor's death, send messages of
condolences,
and/or see to his family's needs for assistance, may do so by using the
following contact,
Josefa Luisa
Riaino
Pueyrredon 384 -
Dept. 3
(1706) Moron
Provincia de Buenos
aires
Argentina
Telephone:
5411-4443-1898
and cell number 5411-4415-6638 (From the USA dial 011 first)
We will always
remember the
contagious and joyful nature of Nestor's personality and dancing style.
We hope that his
legacy
will be one of hard work, honesty and generosity.
Que descanses en
paz, hermano,
que Dios te bendiga y que tu alma este siempre presente cuando suene un
tango de D'Arienzo.
Alberto and
Valorie
Planet Tango
New Orleans, LA
|
| Se nos fue
Nestor Ray!!
Laura te llora desde Roma...
Nos dejo Nestor
Ray!
Hoy, jueves 22 de
Mayo a
las 16 hs. en Buenos Aires.
Y con el, se nos fue
uno
de los mas grandes testimonios vivos de nuestro querido tango...
Se nos fue un gran
bailarin.
Y un gran milonguero.
Uno de los mas
grandes milongueros
con quien haya tenido ocasion de bailar en toda mi vida !
El baile fue para
mi, antes
y despues de el... Del gran Nestor Ray !
Se nos fue una
gran
persona ademas.
La parca muerte se
lo llevo
- con su violencia de siempre- y nos dejo sin su baile... Y nos dejo
sin
el.
Se nos fue joven,
como se
van los bohemios, los solitarios, los que sufren en demasia.
Se fue uno de los
mejores,
de los mas grandes.
Nadie con tu compas,
Nestor
querido...Tus giros...Tus traspies !!!
Nadie capaz de
marcar con
todo el cuerpo y con ninguna parte a la vez.
Todo tu cuerpo
bailaba.
De pies a cabeza...
Eras vos, Nestor
querido,el
baile mismo !
Tu baile era
envolvente,
sugestivo, armonico.
Vos eras el tango,
la milonga
y el vals para mi...
Encontrarte en la
milonga
era una fiesta. Bailar con vos era una fiesta. Verte bailar era una
fiesta!!!..
Va a ser imposible
sustituirte.
Va a ser imposible olvidarte.
Vamos a esperar
encontrarte
en cada milonga. Siempre te vamos a estar buscando, gran bailarin...
Siempre te vamos a
extraniar
!
Siempre, a partir de
ahora
, nos vas a faltar. Como le faltan a uno los padres, cuando no los
tiene.
Un sentido abrazo a
Pato,
y a todos quienes te conocimos y disfrutamos...
porque todos
nosotros, sin
excepcion ,estamos de profundo duelo.
Gracias por tus
ensenianzas.Gracias
por todo lo que nos dejaste.
No te olvidaremos
jamas
!
Desde Roma, con una
profunda
congoja en el alma, vaya mi pequenio pero muy sentido homenaje al Gran
Nestor Ray, campeon entre los campeones...
Laura
|
| Please put me
down for $50
to contribute to Nestor's funeral fund. I am leaving town for a couple
of weeks but will get a check to you in the mail right away.
Huck
Phoenix, AZ
|
Total Amount:
$50.00
Item Title: Nestor
Ray's
Funeral Fund
Item Number: via
Planet
Tango
Buyer: Linda
Valentino
Message:
Dear Patricia,
Lucy and all
of Nestor's family, please accept this in loving memory of Nestor Ray,
my teacher and friend, a great milonguero and ambassador of Tango. I
will
miss him very much. With Love,
Linda Valentino,
Los Angeles
|
Total Amount:
$25.00
Item Title: Nestor
Ray's
Funeral Fund
Item Number: via
Planet
Tango
Buyer: Lisa Battan
Message:
Estoy mandandoles
esta pequena
contribucion en remembranza de unos de los mas grandes bailarines de
tango.
Es con mucho afecto que recuerdo la sonrisa de Nestor brillante y sus
ojos
que a veces bailaban como sus pies.
Sinceramente,
Lisa Battan
Abogada de
inmigration de
Nestor en los EEUU
P.S. I
might be a little
embarrased of my bad Spanish, but that is how Nestor and I communicated
- his broken English and my bad castellano, but it was a lot of warmth
from both sides.
|
| Dear Alberto and
Valorie,
I was so sorry to
hear of
Nestor's death. He was one of my favorite teachers at the great
seminar
you had in Reno in 2000. Please put me down on the list for a $25
contribution to his family, and let me know the best way to direct it
to
you (or them).
Thanks for taking on
this
responsibility.
Lots of love to
you both,
Gaye Goodman
Albuquerque, NM
|
| I'll be sending
a check
for $20 for Nestor.
Dorothy
Chandler, AZ
|
| Hello Alberto,
I'm so sad to
hear that Nestor
has passed away...
When I met him in
your Tango
labor day in Reno in 2000, I was so excited to see their dance
Milonga!!
and also his personality.
I visited L.A for a
event,
I took his lesson which was Milonga.
At that time, he
told us
that had a terrible headache and he went out from the lesson...
He might have been
soared
so much....
Human has limited
life...
I know, but it's is uneasy things to say good bye and I have to accept
the reality that I can't take his lesson any more....
I really appreciate
you
that make me have a chance to meet him.
I'll think of
Nestor sometimes,
and I'm sure that I'll tell people how Nestor was great
dancer/teacher!!!!!
Gran abrazo y un
besito,
Yasco
Tokyo, Japan
|
| I was a student
of Nestor's
many years ago, when I still lived in California. I've just
gotten
news of his death, and I am very, very sad to hear of it. I would
like to contribute something to the fund you have to help with Nestor's
funeral costs. Please let me know how best to do so.
Thank you.
Jacqueline Steager
|
| Thanks for doing
this special
deed, I will be sending you $50 for the fund.
Timmy
Cleveland, OH
|
| Dear Alberto and
Valorie:
Great respect to
you for
initiating Nestor's Funeral Fund.
I would like to
donate for
$50 and will mail out the check tomorrow.
I am so touched
the fact
he made it at least his home country before he died. As one
of foreigner myself living the foreign country, it is very hard
to
accept the fact sometimes you may not be there in time when your loved
one's death.
I am happy for
Nestor for
that fact at least he was in his homeland where his soul to be rest.
Junko Shimazaki
Phoenix, AZ
|
Total Amount:
$200.00
Item Title: Nestor
Ray's
Funeral Fund
Item Number: via
Planet
Tango
Buyer: Tango Santa
Barbara
Message:
A la familia
Raiano, desde
los tangueros de Santa Bárbara, California, EEUU.
Ya sentimos la
perdida de
nuestro amigo y maestro, Salvador "Nestor Ray" Raiano.
Nos conocimos en
Stanford
en 1996, y siempre disfrutamos las horas compartidas con Nestor, en una
milonga u otra, charlando, comiendo, bailando...
Y ya se fue...pero
nunca
olvidamos.
Recordamos todo--las
lágrimas
y sonrisas que compartimos tantas veces--y sobre todo: el tango, que
fue
el regalo que nos dejó.
Escuchamos a la
musica de
un tango, cerramos los ojos, y recordamos...
Nestor nos
está esperando...dentro
de cada tango...como corresponde.
¡Chau Pibe!
Nos vemos
pronto...
Brian Griffin
Fay Villanueva
Tango Santa Barbara
|
