WEST PALM BEACH – The South Florida comedy community said goodbye Wednesday night to a comic Wayne Felber, celebrating his life in the most fitting manner – with a comedy show.
Dean Napolitano headlined a night at the Palm Beach Improv that vacillated between somber and humorous as the community remembered one of its own.
“It means a lot to do this show,” Napolitano said. “It’s like he’s here watching down over it.”
Felber frequently overcame health issues, including cancer and diabetes.
He ultimately succumbed to the effects of COVID-19 in late August.
“I think we were all so used to him beating it and getting out of the hospital, everybody thought he’d be out,” Napolitano said. “It hit kind of hard when he didn’t make it out.”
Earlier in the summer Felber had booked the Improv to host an event for his charity, Team Felber.
Upon learning of Felber’s death, Improv co-owner and general manager Rene Harte told Felber’s wife, Sharon, they would use that date to celebrate Wayne’s life.
“I am so blessed,” Sharon Felber said. “The amount of love from the community, the amount of love for my husband, the amount of love for myself is helping me through this. Wayne had a presence.”
Ramon Garcia performed as the feature comic. Gary G-Man Gelman, Jordan Garnett and Andy Delancey also took the stage, with Mike Cintron hosting.
Gelman closed his set by handing Sharon Felber a $1,000 check for Team Felber.
All comics who performed mixed stories about what Wayne meant to them into their normal sets.
“I met Wayne when I was 17 years old in front of the Palm Beach Improv,” Garnett said. “Here we are standing, almost 13 years later, out in front of the Palm Beach Improv, so it’s weird not to have him here. He meant everything to me. He was not only a friend in comedy, he was a big brother and a little bit of a strict dad.”
Prior to the show, Harte hosted a reception at the adjacent Copper Blues where fellow comics, friends and family told their favorite Wayne Felber stories and munched on some of Felber’s favorite foods – tater tots, quesadillas and pigs in a blanket.
Felber frequently guided young South Florida comics as they launched their careers.
“He always had a bunch of new people, giving them advice,” comic Jackie Sanchez said. “He was definitely helpful, for sure.”
The Team Felber charity financially helps people experiencing a medical crisis pay everyday bills.
Sharon Felber intends to keep Team Felber operational.
“Absolutely,” Sharon said. “This is Wayne’s legacy.”
