Ramon Reachi; Retired Dancer, Restaurateur

Ramon Reachi, a professional dancer who operated a restaurant in Santa Monica, has died in Woodland Hills. He was 87.

Reachi, with his wife, Renita, appeared in “Gold Diggers of 1935,” preforming an exaggerated ballroom dance to the tune of “Lullaby of Broadway.” In later years, he opened the Macayo, a Santa Monica restaurant that featured live entertainment.

He died Monday of cancer, said his daughter, Reni Churchill.

A native of Mexico City, Reachi took up dancing at 16, shortly before coming to California with two of his brothers. He and his wife appeared in numerous films and on stage for about 30 years, performing Latin and ballroom-style dancing.

In the mid-1930s, he opened a restaurant in New York. He later moved to California and opened the Wilshire Boulevard restaurant. He also started a candle-making factory in North Hollywood called Cafe Candlelight that made personalized, silk-screened candles for restaurants.

He later worked for several Los Angeles hotels, managing the catering departments until he was 85. For several years, Reachi swam every day at the YMCA in North Hollywood until retiring two years ago.

He is survived by daughter Reni Churchill of Woodland Hills; a son, Rudy Reachi of North Hollywood; brothers Alex Reachi of Santa Monica, Luis Reachi of Marina del Rey and Santiago Reachi of Santa Ynez; a sister, Josephine Reachi of Santa Monica, and three grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at Gates, Kingsley & Gates Funeral Directors, 6909 Canoga Ave., Canoga Park, which is handling the arrangements. Burial will be private. Donations can be made in Reachi’s name to the American Cancer Society or the City of Hope.