Hector Xtravaganza, a founding member of the House of Xtravaganza who died late last month, played an instrumental role in New York City’s ballroom scene in the 1980s.

He is remembered as the “Grandfather” of ballroom who made his mark as the ultimate multi-hyphenate – a community leader, activist, dancer, actor, designer, and, foremost, someone who provided a family to those in need of one.

The ballroom community took to social media to share their condolences after the House announced his death on Instagram on December 30.

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“It is with profound sadness the House of Xtravaganza family announces the passing of our beloved Grandfather Hector,” the House’s official statement read. “He was a friend to everyone he met, a source of inspiration for all who knew him, and a cornerstone of our House family.”

The Nuyorican legend served as a consultant for Ryan Murphy’s critically-acclaimed show Pose on FX, which broke boundaries by featuring five transgender actresses.

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Murphy remembered Hector via his Instagram: “The thing that struck me about Hector, always, was his kindness.  He was perhaps the greatest SURVIVOR I had ever met.  And he had survived so much…the HIV crisis, decades of discrimination, poverty, indifference, violence, time.  And he did it with a smile, an uplifted heart and always the hope that things would one day get better for himself and his community.”

The CFDA would like to honor the life of Hector Xtravaganza and thank him for his contributions to both the LGBTQ and fashion communities.

Rest in Power, Hector.