Obituary for Jose L. Ramos
Jose Ramos, known affectionately as Joey, JoJo, Jay, Jay Bird, passed away on November 20th, 2021 in his hometown of the Bronx. He is survived by his mother, Yvonne, his sister, Celestina, and a vast community of people who loved him.
Jose was a true artist. He was a brilliant actor, but his gifts for writing and drawing were also apparent from childhood. He could never be found without a notepad and pen in case inspiration for a new story, character or scene struck. Joey was also a voracious reader who cared as deeply about philosophy as he did about comic books. Jose could quote Nietzsche one minute and Bender from Futurama the next. He appreciated and created a wide range of art that made all of our worlds more hilarious, interesting and beautiful.
Jose’s love for theater was first sparked during high school at Urban Academy. It was there that he starred in his first productions and also made friends who remained by his side throughout his life. He went on to study theater at Franklin and Marshall College where he formed a cherished artistic community. Two decades later, Joey still gushed about the various productions in which he participated and his loving friends at F&M, both within and outside of the theater community.
After college, Joey continued to channel his talents into productions and management at the Mint Theater in New York and the Hedgerow Theater in Pennsylvania. Jose was fully present in each role he was given, in the same way he was fully present for his family and each of his friends. His ability to make each moment feel profoundly special was true on stage, over a meal and even through a phone call or text. Jose also served as the (self-described) “loud guy” at Midtown Comics, where he was able to share a lifetime of knowledge and passion for all things comic-related. Most recently, he found great joy working as a chess tutor for children, who he made laugh as loud as his own famous laugh. We all know the one.
Jose’s undeniable artistic gifts, tight hugs and incomparable humor will be missed and remembered forever.
Jose was a true artist. He was a brilliant actor, but his gifts for writing and drawing were also apparent from childhood. He could never be found without a notepad and pen in case inspiration for a new story, character or scene struck. Joey was also a voracious reader who cared as deeply about philosophy as he did about comic books. Jose could quote Nietzsche one minute and Bender from Futurama the next. He appreciated and created a wide range of art that made all of our worlds more hilarious, interesting and beautiful.
Jose’s love for theater was first sparked during high school at Urban Academy. It was there that he starred in his first productions and also made friends who remained by his side throughout his life. He went on to study theater at Franklin and Marshall College where he formed a cherished artistic community. Two decades later, Joey still gushed about the various productions in which he participated and his loving friends at F&M, both within and outside of the theater community.
After college, Joey continued to channel his talents into productions and management at the Mint Theater in New York and the Hedgerow Theater in Pennsylvania. Jose was fully present in each role he was given, in the same way he was fully present for his family and each of his friends. His ability to make each moment feel profoundly special was true on stage, over a meal and even through a phone call or text. Jose also served as the (self-described) “loud guy” at Midtown Comics, where he was able to share a lifetime of knowledge and passion for all things comic-related. Most recently, he found great joy working as a chess tutor for children, who he made laugh as loud as his own famous laugh. We all know the one.
Jose’s undeniable artistic gifts, tight hugs and incomparable humor will be missed and remembered forever.