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I just learned Bobby Naismith whom I met in Rochdale died today.
My long time Rochdale friend Israel “Jimmy” Newell died yesterday.
Death comes to all of us. We know this.
One day Death will come for me. I know this.
While I am alive let me be alive.
Bobby was one of those larger than life people we often read about but rarely meet.
Former site of Rochdale College Toronto. Rochdale had 18 floors. The higher up we went, the higher we got.
The awesomely endowed Bobby Naismith. Xaviera Hollander, the famed “Happy Hooker,” gave Bobby what heads of state had paid fortunes for.
Give Bobby an excuse and he got naked.
Truth be told Bobby did not need much of an excuse.
When I ran my WET DREAMS FILM FEST at Rochdale College Bobby worked the projectors.
People thought I was breaking the law. They did not know that if no admission was charged the screenings were legal.
No admission was charged.
After Rochdale was shut down people who interviewed me often said they would not mention my work at Rochdale. I said, “Why? I did my best work there.”
One day a few years ago while I was posting flyers around the city Bobby walked along with me. As we talked I learned he was homeless. I said, “I have room for you.”
Bobby said, “I have no money.”
I said, “I know that.”
When I was on the street in 1980 my Rochdale friend, Martin Heath (who runs CineCycle) did the same for me.
We Rochdale people are a family.
Bobby got back on his feet while here.
While he lived here I watched Bobby change many young lives for the better.
Then he moved on.
He had much to astonish the world with.
Bobby was always concerned that the screenings continue here despite the efforts of many to halt them.
But for me the important work here is that I have been able to offer a refuge from the storm as others have done and continue to do for me.
One day after a raid the night before on Rochdale I called people in the media to state that what I was reading in the press had very little to do with the reality I was seeing.
One person said, “You don’t understand. There is a way we have to report on what happens there.”
In that moment I realized there was a media line on Rochdale.
What was Rochdale ask those who know little if anything about it.
I reply, “Rochdale was about freedom. It was a place where people of all sizes, shades, shapes and sexualities bonded and eventually became a family.
Rochdale was the best place I ever worked from.
In a long line of great people Israel Newell and Bobby Naismith were among the greatest.
May they rest in the well earned peace they worked for.
Guys, prepare a table as the rest of us Rochdalians will soon be joining you.
With great love, Reg Hartt 2019–12–16.
Israel “Jimmy” Newell, a little guy with a big heart left us yesterday. Jimmy too was an important part of Rochdale and my life. God bless him.
Israel was hip in the best sense of the word.Give him an excuse and Bobby got naked.
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