New Orleans-Style Send Off Tonight For DBA Owner, Cyclist Ray Deter

Ray Deter, via D.B.A.'s Facebook page

Friends, family, and acquaintances of the late Ray Deter will gather tonight at DBA in the East Village for a New Orleans-style "second line" memorial parade in honor of the beloved bar owner, who died after getting hit by a car as he rode his bike through the intersection of Canal and West Broadway earlier this month. A
"second line," according to Wikipedia, features traditional dance "in which participants walk and sometimes twirl a parasol or handkerchief in the air... called 'second lining.' It has been called 'the quintessential New Orleans art form — a jazz funeral without a body.' "

A message on DBA's Facebook page notes that the memorial will start at 7 p.m., and adds: "Please everyone bring a candle, if you like an umbrella, and perhaps a tambourine. And ladies please bring a white handkerchief. We plan to send Ray off in the spirit he would have wanted. N'awlins style." (DBA is located at 41 1st Avenue.) There will also be a memorial service for Deter's immediate family at the NYC Marble Cemetery on East 2nd Street Wednesday afternoon, followed by a private wake at DBA, which will be closed until 7:30 p.m. on that day. But the DBA family notes that their Williamsburg location "will be open to share the love."

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By John Del Signore in Food on July 11, 2011 12:54 PM

Comments [rss]

Mordicai

DBA is a nice place to get drinks. Thanks, guy.

bggb

Glad his loved ones will celebrate his life.

Eric Gordon

There is also a DBA in New Orleans on Frenchman Street, they have great live music. What a great way to go. When it's my time, I want a second line. RIP Ray.

ONE_LESS_FIXED_GEAR

A sad day indeed, but cool idea for a sendoff.

I have to wonder. Does Gothamist really think Ray would cite "cyclist" as the second descriptor of how people knew him? Not DBA owner, entrepreneur, admired friend, etc? Just strikes me as odd.

Fronko

Agree. If he was killed driving a car, I doubt the headline would read, "Send-Off Tonight for DBA Owner, Driver." If he was killed walking across the street, he probably wouldn't be described as a pedestrian. He was just a guy - and a really great guy at that - trying to get around the city. What a tragedy for his friends, family, and customers.

gambalore

Probably not, but it recalls the earlier stories about his accident and death for those readers who may not remember those facts straight off.