OJ Agramonte | Condolences to Ellicottville’s Gentle Giant
OJ Agramonte | Condolences to Ellicottville’s Gentle Giant
Oliver James (OJ) Agramonte • June 25, 1934 - July 16, 2025
Oliver J. Agramonte, aka OJ, 91, of Ellicottville, died July 16, 2025 at The Pines in Machias. It is difficult to comprehend that we will no longer be seeing this gentle giant around town with his beloved dog, Armani, except in photos and memories. Reverend Ralph Mueller from the United Church of Ellicottville, Presbyterian USA recalled that OJ kept a photo of Armani on the wall in his room in The Pines, along with a photo of his beloved Jaguar XKE. Visiting OJ often, Mueller remarked how Armani was keenly missed and a favorite memory for him.
For those of us left behind, we have our own memories, held close or shared for others to enjoy. In speaking to friends and family of OJ, this writer discovered that OJ was of Cuban descent and born in Cheshire, England to Rene Print Agramonte and his Cuban diplomat father, Ignacio, stationed in England. Due to a political takeover, they could not return to Cuba. Forced out by Castro, his family sought political asylum in Florida.
He finished his schooling in Miami, then joined the U.S. Air Force, becoming a dual citizen during the Korean War. He married and his family eventually moved to Washington DC. There, he began his many diverse careers, becoming a private detective working in law enforcement and then later managing or owning restaurants and shops in the D.C. area and Ocean City, Maryland. Fate and a friend, Jimmy Lennon, brought him to Ellicottville, and this is where his story for us truly begins. He never knew a stranger, so before long, OJ imbedded himself into the heart of the Ellicottville community.
OJ loved beautiful clothes and enjoyed good food, both the preparation and the consumption. Betsy Peyser shares a story of an upscale all-the-meat-you-can-eat restaurant where she and Patti Laidlaw, his partner at the time, treated him to a birthday dinner at Texas de Brazil. They laughed their way through the meal and wondered how one person could eat so much at one sitting.
It seems so many good times with OJ have to do with food. Anneen Barrera shares a story of traveling to Ireland for the world famous Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival, which draws huge crowds of over 20,000 people, with a group that included OJ and Billy “Birdwalk” Barrett. Prior to the trip, they prepared in advance (more good times) and participated in a traditional annual BBQ (with entrants from the world over). Billy won first prize for his fish and OJ earned first prize for his grilled peaches. Food, good wine, companionship, travel, laughter, good times… That’s what life was all about in the OJ world.
He loved travel and would make many visits to Nicaragua with Anneen while she was there teaching. (He even joined the Rotary there). Not speaking the language, she was his translator. Anneen reports their mutual shock when they first went to Cuba and saw the devastation from the brutal, authoritarian regime of Castro. Here, the Big Guy’s heart broke when he saw the plight of the struggling, starving Cubans. Of course, they got into action and sent clothes (the Cuban people didn’t even have underwear!) and toothbrushes and daily needs supplies through Anneen’s contacts in the Embassy.
It turned out that OJ, who was personally invested in all-things-football, was a fickle fan. While in DC he loved the Redskins, but as soon as he got to Ellicottville, he became a devout Bills fan! Patti Laidlaw shared a memory of the laughter they shared when a group flew from DC to go to Tampa for the 1984 Super Bowl between the Redskins and the Raiders. He had to be where the action was. Even if their team got trounced, big time.
Of course, that meant he found his way to the action at Madigan’s and had a plan to bring people in for Monday night football, serving hot dogs as if they were tailgating. Someone did not like hot dogs, so OJ cooked up a carrot and put it on a bun for him. When he wasn’t serving hot dogs, another iteration of OJ sold Ice cream and gifts from a shop at 57 Elizabeth. He called it Heartfelt Treasures, revealing the softer side of OJ.
The life of any party, OJ could always be counted on to be in the middle of something perhaps a bit silly or pranky. And he’d always gravitate to those who would gladly join in the mischief. Some of you may remember that he was what Betsy calls a “matchbook reverend.” He likely responded to an ad on the back cover of a matchbook and bought a “reverend-ship.” He used his new power to unite in marriage his beloved dog, Armani, and Teresa Mercer’s white poodle at a formal ceremony at Spruce Lake. Many attended, bringing their own fur babies. It has also been reported that he carried his dachshund, Archie, in a bowling bag when he traveled by plane.
As a father of his young girls, he was always ready for fun. His daughters Renae and Lesa shared stories of his love of embarrassing his girls by outrageous silliness, like the time they went to a seafood restaurant and ordered lobster. When the waitress came back to the table to check on them, he had clipped the large claw of a lobster on his nose and talked to her as if it was normal. His girls were mortified, much as they were when he’d climb on a small mechanical horse in front of a store, hide under a bench feigning terror during a thunderstorm, shout “whoop whoop” while going through DC tunnels with it echoing for everyone to hear. His larger than life persona was truly a thing to reckon with.
He shared that kid love with Taylor Perks, daughter of this paper’s owner, telling her that a giraffe was hiding in the bushes at Katy’s Cafe. He never failed to ask if she had found it, whatever they saw each other. They traded giraffe pictures and giraffe gifts through the mail - these two shared a very special bond. OJ was like that - generously sharing parts of himself with those who shared this walk on earth with him.
He was a member of the American Legion and a regular at the United Church of Ellicottville, where he became a beloved member, driving elders to church, becoming, according to Val Germain who faithfully runs the Food Pantry, a reliable, compassionate helper who was always willing to sit and talk with anyone needing a friend. But of course. It was OJ.
There may be no buildings or massive monuments named after Ellicottville’s beloved Oliver James Agramonte, but he enjoyed and loved his many friends and family monumentally and it rebounded back to him.
OJ will be missed by many, especially his three daughters, Renae (Chris) Agramonte-Turner of Cincinnati, OH, Krista Agramonte of Belize, and Lesa Agramonte of Winchester, VA; and a half-brother, Troy Best of VA, and his sister, Lenore (Jose Blanco) Van Wagner of Miami, FL; three grandchildren, Daniel, Tamra, and Karley; and six great-grandchildren, Parker, Olivia, Karson, Ignacio, Lance, and Jacinto "Ollie;" and several nieces and nephews.
Burial with military honors will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery in Ellicottville. Plans are in the works for a community celebration of life in August. Memorials may be made to any veteran's charity.
Salut, OJ. Your memory is indelible. Ellicottville will not forget you. Enjoy your new adventures and we’ll all see you on the other side.