October 11, 1958 – April 5, 2013
Richard Tony "Purple" Haze died April 5, 2013 at home in San Francisco. He was born in New Britain, Connecticut and went to Pulaski High School, where he was co-editor of the school newspaper. He graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 1973.
He was at the Woodstock Festival in 1969. He arrived in San Francisco in 1977 and marched with Harvey Milk. He was at the White Night riot in 1979.
Tony lived in Santa Cruz from 1980-1991. He worked at the Crepe Place on Pacific Avenue. He later worked at the Santa Cruz SPCA, where he developed a costume dog character named "Tag." Tony would be "Tag" at parades, county fairs, schools, and boys and girls clubs, educating people about the need for proper ID tags so their pets wouldn't stay lost. He was also the manager of volunteer services, helping people help animals.
In 1991, Tony returned to San Francisco, where he worked for a year as a telex operator. He was later a private chef.
Tony was active in animal rights, gay rights, San Francisco Atheists, medical marijuana access, and the right to die movement.
Tony was HIV-positive and went on disability in 1996. He continued to be active in the community. He adopted a black cat named Cougar and they lived in an apartment until Cougar's death on February 1, 2011.
Tony's ashes will be mixed with Cougar's and placed in the Pacific Ocean by a friend, in a private setting.
To honor Tony, friends are asked to donate to the San Francisco SPCA Emergency Hospital or Maitri Hospice.