Samuel J. Bazile, affectionately known as "Sam" or "Dolly" to his many friends and fans died on Saturday, January 22 from complications following a massive heart attack. He was a pioneer member of UFMCC and the life-partner of nearly 30 years of local gay activist, Attorney, and MCC San Diego Board Member, Al Smithson.
Mr. Bazile was born in New Roads, Louisiana on November 19, 1944; he was the youngest son of Nelson and Dicey Bazile. He moved to San Diego in the late 1960s and began a 30 year career as an employee of General Dynamics Convair Division. He retired from Convair in 1995 and began a program of missionary work in the Dominican Republic which he continued until his death. Prior to joining MCC San Diego, Sam was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church and also of Dignity USA (San Diego Chapter). In fact Sam was a founding member of the San Diego Chapter of Dignity, joining on Aug 26, 1972.
Rev. Farrell said:
"Sam Bazile was a personal friend and 30 year member of MCC San Diego. He was a treasured member of the Music program as soloist, and a member of the Joyful Noise Choir for most of those years. Sam was widely known, not only within MCC, but also in the larger GLBT community for his starring roles in the long-running Annual "MCC Follies" shows in which he created indelible impressions as Dolly Parton, Della Reese, and Scarlett O'Hara (in hoop skirt and on rollerskates!).
He earned the gratitude of numerous local non-profit organizations for re-creating these popular performances at a variety of charitable fundraising events over a period of many years. Sam's death is a great loss to all of us; he will be fondly remembered by many."
Rev. Elder Troy Perry, also a long-time friend of the couple said:
"Mr. Bazile was one of the first African-Americans to become involved in the early days of UFMCC and his life-partner, Al Smithson has served as Vice-Moderator of the Board of Directors at MCC San Diego for 30 consecutive years. They serve as fine examples of effective and devoted service by lay members of our Congregations. I extend my condolences to Al Smithson and the MCCSD family."
A Memorial Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 12, 2000 at 2:00pm at Metropolitan Community Church of San Diego (MCCSD) at 4333 30th St. in San Diego.
The service will be conducted by the MCCSD Pastor, Rev. Tony Freeman. The Eulogy will be offered by the Rev. David S. Farrell, Pastor Emeritus of MCC San Diego, and a long-time friend of the couple.
Mr. Bazile was born in New Roads, Louisiana on November 19, 1944; he was the youngest son of Nelson and Dicey Bazile. He moved to San Diego in the late 1960s and began a 30 year career as an employee of General Dynamics Convair Division. He retired from Convair in 1995 and began a program of missionary work in the Dominican Republic which he continued until his death. Prior to joining MCC San Diego, Sam was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church and also of Dignity USA (San Diego Chapter). In fact Sam was a founding member of the San Diego Chapter of Dignity, joining on Aug 26, 1972.
Rev. Farrell said:
"Sam Bazile was a personal friend and 30 year member of MCC San Diego. He was a treasured member of the Music program as soloist, and a member of the Joyful Noise Choir for most of those years. Sam was widely known, not only within MCC, but also in the larger GLBT community for his starring roles in the long-running Annual "MCC Follies" shows in which he created indelible impressions as Dolly Parton, Della Reese, and Scarlett O'Hara (in hoop skirt and on rollerskates!).
He earned the gratitude of numerous local non-profit organizations for re-creating these popular performances at a variety of charitable fundraising events over a period of many years. Sam's death is a great loss to all of us; he will be fondly remembered by many."
Rev. Elder Troy Perry, also a long-time friend of the couple said:
"Mr. Bazile was one of the first African-Americans to become involved in the early days of UFMCC and his life-partner, Al Smithson has served as Vice-Moderator of the Board of Directors at MCC San Diego for 30 consecutive years. They serve as fine examples of effective and devoted service by lay members of our Congregations. I extend my condolences to Al Smithson and the MCCSD family."
A Memorial Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 12, 2000 at 2:00pm at Metropolitan Community Church of San Diego (MCCSD) at 4333 30th St. in San Diego.
The service will be conducted by the MCCSD Pastor, Rev. Tony Freeman. The Eulogy will be offered by the Rev. David S. Farrell, Pastor Emeritus of MCC San Diego, and a long-time friend of the couple.
Samuel J. Bazile, affectionately known as "Sam" or "Dolly" to his many friends and fans died on Saturday, January 22 from complications following a massive heart attack. He was a pioneer member of UFMCC and the life-partner of nearly 30 years of local gay activist, Attorney, and MCC San Diego Board Member, Al Smithson.
Mr. Bazile was born in New Roads, Louisiana on November 19, 1944; he was the youngest son of Nelson and Dicey Bazile. He moved to San Diego in the late 1960s and began a 30 year career as an employee of General Dynamics Convair Division. He retired from Convair in 1995 and began a program of missionary work in the Dominican Republic which he continued until his death. Prior to joining MCC San Diego, Sam was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church and also of Dignity USA (San Diego Chapter). In fact Sam was a founding member of the San Diego Chapter of Dignity, joining on Aug 26, 1972.
Rev. Farrell said:
"Sam Bazile was a personal friend and 30 year member of MCC San Diego. He was a treasured member of the Music program as soloist, and a member of the Joyful Noise Choir for most of those years. Sam was widely known, not only within MCC, but also in the larger GLBT community for his starring roles in the long-running Annual "MCC Follies" shows in which he created indelible impressions as Dolly Parton, Della Reese, and Scarlett O'Hara (in hoop skirt and on rollerskates!).
He earned the gratitude of numerous local non-profit organizations for re-creating these popular performances at a variety of charitable fundraising events over a period of many years. Sam's death is a great loss to all of us; he will be fondly remembered by many."
Rev. Elder Troy Perry, also a long-time friend of the couple said:
"Mr. Bazile was one of the first African-Americans to become involved in the early days of UFMCC and his life-partner, Al Smithson has served as Vice-Moderator of the Board of Directors at MCC San Diego for 30 consecutive years. They serve as fine examples of effective and devoted service by lay members of our Congregations. I extend my condolences to Al Smithson and the MCCSD family."
A Memorial Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 12, 2000 at 2:00pm at Metropolitan Community Church of San Diego (MCCSD) at 4333 30th St. in San Diego.
The service will be conducted by the MCCSD Pastor, Rev. Tony Freeman. The Eulogy will be offered by the Rev. David S. Farrell, Pastor Emeritus of MCC San Diego, and a long-time friend of the couple.
Mr. Bazile was born in New Roads, Louisiana on November 19, 1944; he was the youngest son of Nelson and Dicey Bazile. He moved to San Diego in the late 1960s and began a 30 year career as an employee of General Dynamics Convair Division. He retired from Convair in 1995 and began a program of missionary work in the Dominican Republic which he continued until his death. Prior to joining MCC San Diego, Sam was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church and also of Dignity USA (San Diego Chapter). In fact Sam was a founding member of the San Diego Chapter of Dignity, joining on Aug 26, 1972.
Rev. Farrell said:
"Sam Bazile was a personal friend and 30 year member of MCC San Diego. He was a treasured member of the Music program as soloist, and a member of the Joyful Noise Choir for most of those years. Sam was widely known, not only within MCC, but also in the larger GLBT community for his starring roles in the long-running Annual "MCC Follies" shows in which he created indelible impressions as Dolly Parton, Della Reese, and Scarlett O'Hara (in hoop skirt and on rollerskates!).
He earned the gratitude of numerous local non-profit organizations for re-creating these popular performances at a variety of charitable fundraising events over a period of many years. Sam's death is a great loss to all of us; he will be fondly remembered by many."
Rev. Elder Troy Perry, also a long-time friend of the couple said:
"Mr. Bazile was one of the first African-Americans to become involved in the early days of UFMCC and his life-partner, Al Smithson has served as Vice-Moderator of the Board of Directors at MCC San Diego for 30 consecutive years. They serve as fine examples of effective and devoted service by lay members of our Congregations. I extend my condolences to Al Smithson and the MCCSD family."
A Memorial Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 12, 2000 at 2:00pm at Metropolitan Community Church of San Diego (MCCSD) at 4333 30th St. in San Diego.
The service will be conducted by the MCCSD Pastor, Rev. Tony Freeman. The Eulogy will be offered by the Rev. David S. Farrell, Pastor Emeritus of MCC San Diego, and a long-time friend of the couple.
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