Tributes flow for Hollywood Showgirls longtime head of security Richie Ahsam after his death on Monday
Tributes keep flooding in for an “icon of the Glitter Strip gone way too early” - as some final texts by the veteran nightspot security boss shed light on the days leading up to his death.
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Final messages of an “icon of the Glitter Strip gone way too early” show him telling friends he was feeling “sick as” and off to hospital.
Richie Ahsam, who was the longtime head of security for Surfers Paradise “club with a difference” Hollywood Showgirls, passed away on Monday afternoon.
The 50-year-old was a popular and respected figure on the Surfers Paradise party strip Orchid Avenue.
In messages a week before Mr Ahsam’s death, ‘Nuz’ Ngatai, a member of the popular singing trio the Koi Boys who Mr Ahsam supported, had asked him where he was at.
Mr Ahsam texted back: “On my way to hospital bro. Sick as.”
Mr Ngatai replied: “Aw noo. No good bro. Get well gee.”
Mr Ahsam replied: “Thanks my bro.”
MEMORIES, SAYINGS OF RICHIE AHSAM
Tributes have been flooding in from across the Gold Coast, around Australia and across the ditch for the Fijian “Superman” including from Mr Ngatai.
Mr Ngatai posted to Facebook this week: “It was just last week we touched base. You felt sick and now you are not here with us brother. In such a short time we formed a bond and you became like a big brother.
“You were our biggest fan ...you even followed us to an RSL to come watch us!
“Full of energy, full of jokes, we didn’t get to meet your famz but our heart goes out to your partner and your two kids. So so sad, love you bro.”
It’s understood Mr Ahsam, a married father of two children who had lived in New Zealand before moving to Australia, had been feeling unwell. After a short hospital visit he went home, went to bed and never woke up on the Monday.
Hollywood Showgirls owner Craig Duffy said he had been told from a pretty reliable source who had visited his home that sequence of events - and news of his passing had spread around the country “like wildfire”.
He had been getting messages Australia wide within hours of Mr Ahsam’s death including from as far away as Perth, he said.
“He knew a lot of people and he was well liked. He was a really funny character, a loveable rogue.
“Sad news. Doesn’t seem real. A Glitter Strip icon gone way too early,” Mr Duffy said, adding they not only worked together but had gone on three or four trips to Vegas down the years.
“He loved karaoke too, and had a pretty good voice. Everyone has their own memories. Him and I used to sing a certain Elvis song together.”
Mr Ahsam started working at Hollywood on Orchid Avenue soon after it was started 19 years ago by Mr Duffy and nightclub kingpin Jamie Pickering.
Mr Pickering said as head of security Mr Ahsam had a difficult job: “(But) he could talk his way out of anything”.
“He kept a lot of problems away from us and kept the venue safe. He was like Superman.”
Mr Pickering said when he sold out his share of Hollywood he gave Mr Duffy one piece of advice.
“I said to Duffy, ‘whatever you do mate, keep Richie with you. He will look after you – keep Richie there and you will be OK’.
“It’s going to be weird going out in Surfers and not running into Richie and having a joke and laugh. It’s a big hole.”
Mr Duffy added: “He’s a big tough strong guy on the exterior but actually very warm and funny and everyone liked him.
“From his job he was very well known throughout Australia. He used to work in security in Sydney in some pretty prominent venues and people respected him and what he was about.
“That is a big part of that job, a massive part of it at that level.”
Gold Coast Moo Moo restaurant owner Steve Adams added online: “Still in utter shock and disbelief. 20 years - too many nights, many laughs and memories. Will miss you man, thoughts with all the family.”
Mr Ahsam’s teenage daughter Leilani posted a photo of them together captioned “my best friend”.
His colleague at Hollywood Showgirls, longtime entertainment director Craig Pesco noted: “My friend forever...devastated.”
Friend Scott Monahan posted to Facebook: “Some of the things I saw him do I would have sworn he was invincible! RIP mate.”
Another Shayne Spencer wrote: “Gold Coast legend.”
Rebecca Rodier wrote: “He was my father figure, slash best friend slash boss. Devastated. I’m wrecked.”
Mr Ahsam is survived by his partner Danielle and teenage daughter Leilani and son Isaiah.
Friend Yvonne Gay posted online in tribute to a smiling photo of him: “It is very hard to look at this pic knowing that we will never see him again. I can’t even get my head around it.
“He truly was a funny character. He will be missed my many. Really thinking of his family at this time.”
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