Marvin Day, Beloved Waiter And New Orleans Fixture, Dies At 50

Marvin 'Word' Day, the beloved waiter of the Camellia Grill in New Orleans, has died at the age of 50, his family has confirmed.

Day had worked for the popular restaurant for more than 20 years, and was known for welcoming customers with a friendly fist bump and his signature greeting, "word." On Reddit, news of his passing inspired several testaments to his charm. "I will miss how he slapped all the calories out of your pie for you," one patron wrote.

When the restaurant was closed for nearly two years in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, many locals were anxious to know that Day had returned to his post — he had.

On Facebook, Will Laird, one of Day's coworkers, posted a moving tribute:

"Today I received the news that our co-worker, mentor, and good friend Marvin Day, has passed away. For close to a decade I have worked and laughed with Marvin, and he exemplified the words professional service. Marvin, beloved by so many, could make the most irritated customer grudgingly smile, and I can't remember a single day of working with him that he didn't show the customers how to have a good time. For 27 years he's danced and joked, sang and played with those who dined with him at Camellia Grill, chanting 'Who dat' with a smile. No matter who you were, he made you feel at home. We will all miss you, my friend, and thank you for everything you taught me. New Orleans has truly lost someone amazing."