LGBTQ+ community mourning loss of beloved Phoenix Bunkhouse Saloon owner – ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix
PHOENIX — The LGBTQ+ group is mourning The scarcity of a properly-liked and properly-acknowledged bar proprietor, Pat Olivo.
Bunkhouse Saloon, located in Phoenix’s Melrose District shut to Seventh Avenue and Indian School Road, says Olivo recently handed amethod.
Darren Mathis was Olivo’s companion of 12 years. He said he was smart, type And greater than life.
“He had an infectious smile…And simply The biggest method he lit up the room wheby no means he’d enter a room,” said Mathis. “I truly miss him. I am the luckiest man On the earth, I do not know why he chosen me as a companion, I am the luckiest man On the earth.”
He said Olivo was referred to as the “Godfather of Melrose.” He purchased Pat O’s Bunkhouse Saloon Inside the Melrose District in 2002.
“It was important to the neighborhood, And by no means simply the gay group, however to the neighborhood that this bar was Worthwhile. And a lot of Of people come right here from all completely different walks of life and no matter orientation They’re,” said good friend Tony Bartoli.
It turned a protected haven for the LGBTQ group.
“It was On A daily basis important to pat to have a protected space For everyone, one factor cozy, one factor housey. It Did not want A complete bunch of fuss or fancy factors, it simply Desired to be somewright here snug That people might take pleasure in,” said Mitchell Buckley, a bartender and good friend.
Earlier than that, Olivo bartended at Apollo’s and completely different Valley spots for years. He was liked And revered.
“People seemed As a lot as him as A conventional Regionally, he was an icon Regionally,” said Mathis.
Olivo companioned up with a quantity of charities all by way of the years. Coworkers and pals said he was acknowledged for Taking Fantastic care of patrons, typically internet hosting free buffets On the bar.
“He simply had An monumental coronary heart and he liked pleasing people. He liked serving to people and he did it very generously,” said Mathis.
Olivo died unexpectedly in his house Monday night. He was 70 years previous.
“Please Be joyful to patronize Bunkhouse and assist Pat’s bar househprevious as they study to navigate their method And not using a compass, with out the captain,” the bar said in a Fb submit earlier this week.
Messages of sympathy have been streaming into the bar’s social media feeds, with patrons describing Olivo as a “good particular person,” “An excellent pillar Regionally,” and somebody “with a coronary heart of gprevious.”
Bunkhouse Saloon is hpreviousing a memorial service for Olivo on March 19 at 2 p.m.