Fil-Am member of SF Gay Men’s Chorus dies mid-performance

Ryan Nunez, 39, collapsed and died on stage. FACEBOOK

SAN FRANCISCO — A Filipino American member of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus died onstage during intermission of a performance Friday night, March 31.

Ryan Nunez, 39, was in a production of “Paradise Found” at Herbst Theatre in San Francisco when he collapsed on one of the risers and suddenly died.

Nunez was a singer and an administrative coordinator for the chorus. The medical examiner has not indicated the cause death. He was credited with bringing several new members to the chorus.

The chorus held a private memorial was held for Nunez before an afternoon concert.

“He was our voice to the world,” Tim Seelig, the artist director and conductor of the chorus, said in a Facebook post.

A Gofundme campaign to help with Nunez’s funeral expenses had raised more than $22,000 by Tuesday, exceeding its $20,000 goal.

“Filled with humor and huge hugs for all – he just took care of everyone – first. … No one loved SFGMC more than Ryan. The chorus literally changed his life – as knowing him changed all of ours,” Seelig said.