Bob Tomasino, the longtime owner of
Studio City's Oil Can Harry's, has died. He was 66.
Tomasino reportedly died after being
struck by a driver who was later charged with driving under the
influence.
The West Hollywood, California
nightclub opened its doors in 1968 and is considered the oldest gay
bar west of the Mississippi.
A memorial service led by Rev. Les
Demarco of North Hollywood Church of Religious Science was held on
Tuesday.
“Words cannot express the sense of
loss,” said Michael Lara, owner of the nearby Bullet. “I've lost
a friend, a leader and a level of a man I try to be.”
Bullet dedicated its
Facebook page in memory of Tomasino, replacing its profile image
with, “This spot is left blank for we mourn for our brother.”
LA Pride honored Tomasino in 2007 with
its Sheldon Anderson Award.
“His personal dedication can be seen
through involvement with the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the
Golden State Gay Rodeo Association and Contestants, The Los Angeles
Leather Coalition, Homestead Hospice House, and Tuesdays Child. ...
Year after year his support for the largest gathering of the LGBT
community in Southern California is gratefully appreciated with a
beautifully decorated Country Dance Pavilion at the Los Angeles Pride
festival,” the organization wrote.