Commemoration of work well done ...
David Sepulveda Photos
... and help with the work ahead.
Love and gratitude filled a waterfront restaurant Thursday night as colleagues and co-conspirators in community-building turned out to wish Rafael Ramos well on his retirement from city government.
175 of the thousands of people whose lives Ramos has touched jammed Long Wharf’s Il Gabbiano restaurant for the party marking the end of Ramos’s three-decade career. Over those years he worked a housing code enforcer and deputy director and then chief of inspectors monitoring lead paint, water quality, and restaurant health standards.
Ramos was showered with speeches and gifts and citations (the positive kind) marking his tenure — and supporting his ongoing work in the community. For everyone knew “retirement” is a partial term: He now plans to spend even more time running Bregamos Community Theater (which he founded) and taking kids on camping trips and other adventures in his volunteer role as president of JUNTA For Progressive Action. In organizing the event, the Health Department raised over $4,500 in donations to support that work. Speakers offering tribute included emcee Maritza Bond (the city’s health director), State Rep. Al Paolillo, Hill Alder Evelyn Rodriguez, housing authority CEO Karen DuBois-Walton, deputy economic development chief Carlos Eyzaguirre, PRU Vice-President Edwin Martinez (a Ramos youth mentee), and former Livable City Initiative chief Frank Alvarado Sr., who traveled up from Florida for the occasion.
Organizers said they also made sure to incorporate into the program one of Ramos’s passions, salsa dancing. Alisa’s House of Salsa owner and dance instructor Alisa gave a salsa lesson to the crowd. Ramos’s son Clyde serenaded him with a rendition of the Impressions song “I’m So Proud,” which brought Rafael to tears, as did a surprise visit (from New Jersey) from his brother Jose.
Click here to read a Ramos bio the city prepared for the event. Click here to read a “New Havener of the Year” story with some of the examples of Ramos’s round-the-clock work ensuring that mistreated tenants had warm, safe places to sleep at night and landlords made good on promises to keep premises up to code; as well as his journey from plumber to cost estimator to city code enforcer and community arts leader.
Fresh from being feted at his retirement celebration at Il Gabbiano, Ramos headed to Bregamos for an after party and drumming jam with Michael Mills and friends. Watch a sample moment below.
Such a well deserved tribute. Congratulations Rafa on a brilliant career spent making a difference in the lives of everyday people! You've lead by example as a professional by keeping the needs of your clients first and foremost. The outpouring of well-wishers attending your party is further proof. Like many, I'm looking forward to your new endeavors at Bregamos -- let me know when you're available to listen to Cuban Son.