New York City’s skate scene lost a legend yesterday when Andy Kessler died of an apparent allergic reaction, according to a post by Bryce Kanights on Skatedaily.net.
We are saddened to report this evening that The Grandmaster of 108, Andy Kessler died today from an apparent allergic reaction to a sting from a hornet while on the Montauk peninsula. He was one of New York City’s legendary pioneers of its core skate scene in the 70s and in later years became a huge proponent of the skateboarding community and its culture in the Big Apple. He will be greatly missed.
Epicly Later’d has a collection of photos of Andy right here.
[Link: Skatedaily.net, The Skateboard Mag, New York Magazine, and Epicly Later’d]
Andy was a real hero in the NY scene. he was a giver and always positive. he was a wonderful human with amazing skills and never talked his own sh^t up.
i really appreciated his friendship in NY in the 4 years i lived there and never really got to thank him for his wonderful friendship. thank you Andy where ever you are now, skate in peace….
your friend always,
jonathan paskowitz
A little history:
http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/sports/features/11956/
Andy arrived at school in the 10th grade (Baldwin High School, W 74)in his skate board.
He paid little attention to classroom work, found comfort among a group of stoners, and did some impressive skateboarding tricks during the lunch hour. Sarcastic and angry, he taunted substitute teachers and targeted for verbal and physical abuse smaller and kinder students.
Being of the same build, our typing teacher often mistook me for him and vice versa,At the end of the semester,underworking Andy received an A in typing (probably the only one he ever got in his life,)I received C, the only C I ever got in my life. I protested the mistake to the principal but he advised me the teacher had already gone home Venezeula.
Between certain fortune as that listed above and his core disposition to attack classwork with
the zeal of a sloth, Andy may have managed to graduate that school and move on to an aimless career of tending to poolhalls, tending bar, etc.
WOW! I can’t believe it! I have known Andy for many years. I remember the Heroin days as well. I remember attending NA meetings with him and NA groups at his place on 72st. I’m sadened that it only took a bee sting to end his life….he will always be a legend.
R.I.P
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Dave from the Upper West Side (97st).
RTW, TVS, ROC
thanks david j. you tool.
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