Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Get well soon, Ray!


[Photo via Facebook]

Ray Alvarez, the 82-year-old proprietor of Ray's Candy Store at 113 Avenue A, looks to be off his feet for a little while.

A friend of Ray's reports that he was recently having trouble breathing. He apparently has felt weak for some time. It finally became too acute, so he visited his doctor, who sent Ray straight to Beth Israel.

Yesterday, Ray had heart valve replacement surgery.

We're told that he is doing well and in typically good spirits. (He has also been asking for seconds on the hospital food.)

A number of people have been keeping him company at the hospital, where he'll likely remain until next week.

Several of Ray's regulars made a large card that people can sign at the shop starting this morning. The card will be delivered to Ray at the hospital. In addition, several friends chipped in to buy him a new bed for his recovery at home.


[Photo via Shawn Chittle]
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17 comments:

  1. AnonymousJune 17, 2015 at 5:51 AM

    Best wishes to you Ray! And here's hoping for a speedy recovery!

    ReplyDelete
  2. john penleyJune 17, 2015 at 8:25 AM

    I don't think there has ever been anyone so loved in the entire history of the East Village. Get well soon Ray we all love you and know you love us back.

    ReplyDelete
  3. DrBOPJune 17, 2015 at 8:32 AM

    Ray.....RAY.....RAAAAAAAYYYYYY......



    .....'git your hands OFF that nurse RIGHT NOW!!!

    .....GEEEZ, whatd'ysthink it's 'yer birthday or somethin'?

    Keep a smile....

    .....on the dial!

    ReplyDelete
  4. BayouJune 17, 2015 at 9:15 AM

    Can someone deliver a statuesque dancer to his room stat?!

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJune 17, 2015 at 9:30 AM

    get well soon Ray we heart U!!!!!!!!!<3!

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousJune 17, 2015 at 9:35 AM

    Be well.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousJune 17, 2015 at 11:53 AM

    I am glad Ray sought medical treatment and is recovering now. Feel better soon, Ray!

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousJune 17, 2015 at 12:41 PM

    Love you Ray. Get well quick so I can have a coffee egg cream with you made by the master himself. xoxoxo
    Melanie
    East Village Corner

    ReplyDelete
  9. Eden BeeJune 17, 2015 at 12:44 PM

    When we visited him he was placing orders for the store on his iPhone and was making jokes. Said he is glad he is now getting help because he hasn't been able to breathe for weeks and he was wanting to give up. So this is really good and he surgery was a complete success!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Laura Goggin PhotographyJune 17, 2015 at 12:54 PM

    Here's to a full and speedy recovery. We love you, Ray!

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousJune 17, 2015 at 4:37 PM

    GET WELL SOON, RAY! Sending all best wishes to you!

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousJune 17, 2015 at 6:49 PM

    Thanks for the update, Eden Bee. He is going to feel a lot better, and this surgery could add years to his life.

    ReplyDelete
  13. GojiraJune 17, 2015 at 8:46 PM

    C'mon Ray, get well, and quick. The only egg creams I ever got from you were chocolate, with an occasional vanilla when I was feeling bland, but @Melanie's mention of a coffee version suddenly made me realize that, right now, there's nothing I want more. So I hope your recovery is a rapid and long-lasting one! Best wishes to you, hope to see you back behind the counter soon.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Eden BeeJune 17, 2015 at 10:47 PM

    Yeah he already felt way better. He really couldn't breathe or walk or even stand up without pain. If there's any astronomical bills I was thinking of some kind of GoFundMe but right now a group of us have pulled together to help out with some things for when he gets out. Which will be next week.

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousJune 18, 2015 at 4:19 AM

    I'm familiar with this procedure. It's literally life saving and life extending - and greatly improves one's health.

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousJune 18, 2015 at 8:30 AM

    Get well soon, Ray!

    *As for coffee egg creams, who knew? Best of both worlds!

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnonymousJune 19, 2015 at 9:51 AM

    noooo!! get well soon!

    ReplyDelete

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