A few weeks before he unexpectedly died on Nov. 14, Jamie Moravec commented to his friends about Howard Brown Health Center and their financial crisis. He expressed interest in helping out because he recognized the importance of Howard Brown to Chicago's LGBT community.
So three of Moravec's best friendsBradford LaHew, Bobby Hull and Bob Zuberare throwing a party in Moravec's honor.
And half of the $20 entrance feewhich includes unlimited beer, well drinks and a light buffetwill be donated to Howard Brown Health Center.
The celebration is slated for Saturday, Jan. 15, 6-9 p.m., at Scarlet Bar, 3320 N. Halsted.
"We thought Jamie would love the idea of a fundraiser in conjunction with his party," said LaHew, 34, an attorney who lives in Rogers Park. "We conceived of the tribute as a way to celebrate the life of our best friend. Jamie was a wonderful person with whom we all share countless memories. The four of us talked every day, traveled together, celebrated our birthdays together and basically were inseparable. He changed each of our lives in his own unique way and this is our homage to him. It's also a reminder of some of the things that Jamie stood forlove, laughter, a big life, and friendship. It's also our way of saying, 'We love you, we miss you, and we'll never forget you.'"
Their goal for the event is simple: "To honor our best friend and share a little of him with all of his friends, family, co-workers and acquaintances," LaHew said.
Moravec, who played three sports in Chicago's gay leagues, died from injuries sustained in a fall from his fifth-floor condominium in the Uptown neighborhood. He was 35.
Moravec played beach volleyball and flag football within the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association (CMSA) umbrella and bowled in the Friday night Chicago Pride League.
LaHew said Moravec would love the celebration they are planning, as long as it's not a sad event.
The Moravec celebration, LaHew said, will be a "reminder of the brevity of life and the importance of living it to the fullest, with no regrets, and with unrepentant passion and appreciation for all of your blessings."
They will have a video montage of photos, including some of Moravec's favorite clips from the TV shows Designing Women and Family Guy as well as the character Betty Butterfield, set to his favorite songs. Chris Wedig, a very close friend of Moravec, is preparing the 90-minute video tribute.
"Since his death, it has been up and down," said Hull, 36, a CPA who lives in Lakeview. "I have been living my life, but each day feeling a little bit sad and even guilty that I am moving on and Jamie is not here to enjoy the simple things in life that he appreciated so much. I am so afraid to get caught up in everyday life that I forget his energetic personality, excitement for life and love for his family and friends. Part of me doesn't want to let go of the sadness because I feel like I am letting go of him. That's for me to deal with as I know life goes on. I just never would have wanted it to go on without Jamie. It's difficult."
Zuber, 37, an Edgewater architect, added: "It's been hard on me not having Jamie around. I have learned that people that you love can be taken from you without a moment's notice and although it may be a cliché to 'live life to the fullest each day,' but no truer words have been said. You must always let the people you love know how much they mean to you. Thankfully, Jamie passed out of our lives with the knowledge that he was deeply loved by us, because we never missed an opportunity to tell each other how we felt."
The celebration has been branded "Raise Your Glass: A Tribute to Jamie Moravec."
"There has been a palpable emptiness in my life since Jamie died," LaHew said. "We have helped his mom and stepfather go through this, which has been very hard. Spending time with them has been very therapeutic, howeverthey are truly wonderful people. I still cannot believe he's gone after having been such a constant presence in my life for the last nine years. I spoke to him nearly every single day. I've traveled the world with him. I look at his picture every day and wish he were still here. Since his death, I have tried to express my love for my best friends every chance I get. I have been so lucky to have been blessed with so many close friendsI want them to know how much they mean to me, always."