UPDATE: Phoebe Kinsley, the sister of Mother Lode bartender Charlies Kinsley, has organized a formal servic in honor of her brother at Hollywood Forever Cemetery on Sunday.
The service will take place at 1 p.m. Hollywood Forever is located at 6000 Santa Monica Blvd. Anyone interested in sending flowers can send them to that address.
Mother Lode hosted a memorial Tuesday night in honor of Kinsley, who died recently of what is said to have been a heart attack.
Kinsley, 47, celebrated his birthday on Jan. 7. He is survived by his sisters Phoebe, Dawn, Maggie and Kim Lee. He lived in Los Angeles and grew up in Victorville where he attended Victor Valley High.
Kinsley worked at Mother Lode for about 17 years where he was known for his affectionate greeting of the regulars, which sometimes included a hug or brief kiss.
More than 100 people had posted their memories on Facebook as of the publication of this story. One of those was Kevin McDowell, who wrote: “Charlie, your passing is truly a tragedy. We were friends for many years and I’m heartbroken to hear the sad news. You were a very unique individual who always found something positive in everyone you met. I always appreciated that about you. You were a beautiful soul.
“When I think of how over-the-top you were about supporting Bernie Sanders and upset you were that Hillary got the nod, I smile thinking about the passion you put into everything you did or believed. All of us who knew you benefited from that unwavering spirit.
“You and I had some good times together, not the least of which was back in 2007 when we escaped to London, England for a Scissor Sisters concert weekend. You were such a Scissor Sisters fan and you proudly wore that t-shirt practically all weekend. I remember us hanging out with Jake Shears in his dressing room after the show. When we walked in, I heard someone scream “CHARLIE!” Sure enough it was Jake himself, so excited to see you while pushing people to the side to greet you with a big hug.”
Mother Lode is located at 8944 Santa Monica Blvd. just east of Robertson. The “Remember the Life of Charles Kinsley” event will take place from 9 to 11 p.m.
Information about other memorials will be posted as they become available.
so sweet & likeable–couldn’t help but love him
If you knew Charlie and were fortunate enough to experience his omnipresent smile, he surely touched your heart. I loved him as did so many. I’ll always remember his infectious dance moves and how he clasped his hands and held them to his heart when I left him a tip, no matter how big or small. I hope his family takes solace in how beloved he was by our WeHo community. He made me smile, feel warm and loved ever time I saw him whether at Motherlode, at the gym or hiking, I feel truly blessed for having known Charlie… Read more »
Kind and wore his beauty with grace.
I had the pleasure of meeting this very warm and sweet human! Sad to hear he has passed😿
“He lived in Los Angeles and grew up in the Valley, attending Victor Valley High.”
“The Valley” is completely different from the Hi-Desert, where Victor Valley High is, about a two-hour drive between the two.
Maybe the writer meant “the Valley” metaphorically, as in… everything north/ or east of Yogurt Stop
Hey Charles,
Not able to attend your service tonite but I’m crying inside. You lit me up every time we spoke or you passed by. And you probably know I always wanted to marry you so will just admit in the open. You just and always were one of the most beautiful people in this world inside and out. The universe is just gonna be so different without you. Save me a good seat w you close by.
OMG, he was the best! Such a nice man. This is sad news. All the best to his family.