Senate Resolution No. 3527

BY: Senator PARKER

MOURNING the death of Reynald A. Perry Jr., Master
Barber, distinguished citizen and devoted member of
his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Reynald A. Perry Jr. of Brooklyn, New York, died on
Saturday, December 23, 2017, at the age of 73; and

WHEREAS, Reynald A. Perry Jr. was born on October 20, 1944, in the
Kingston Parish of St. Andrew, Jamaica, to the late Elvie and Reynald
Perry, Sr.; his mother was a homemaker who devoted herself to making a
loving home for her family, and his father was a Master Barber; and

WHEREAS, Reynald A. Perry Jr. loved the smell and sounds of the
salty ocean which surrounded his homeland; he and his friends could
often be found cooking the day's catch on the shoreline; and

WHEREAS, At the young age of 13, Reynald A. Perry Jr. became an
apprentice to his father; he quickly picked up the craft and became a
master in his own right; and

WHEREAS, In addition to conquering the art of barbering, Reynald A.
Perry Jr. also excelled at boxing; he became a Champ and defended his
title for some time; and

WHEREAS, In 1969, Reynald A. Perry Jr. migrated to New York, where
he worked as a barber at his brother's shop; eventually he owned and
managed his own business; and

WHEREAS, Reynald A. Perry Jr.'s magnificent work spoke for itself;
his clients traveled from all over New York City and beyond just to get
a haircut from him; his work was a source of pride, he never valued
quantity over quality; and

WHEREAS, Reynald A. Perry Jr. liked to feel and look good; he wore
high quality clothes and shoes and kept in shape by jogging and
exercising; in fact, his family gave him the nickname "Forrest Gump";
and

WHEREAS, A man of many interests and passions, Reynald A. Perry Jr.
relished good food; his signature dishes of jerk chicken and curried
goat were frequently requested by his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Reynald A. Perry Jr. loved to listen and dance to his
favorite music from Bob Marley, to Berns Hammond, and the golden oldies;
he was always the life of the party and enjoyed spending time with his
many cherished friends; and

WHEREAS, In his later years, Reynald A. Perry Jr. loved to spend
time outdoors working in his vegetable and flower gardens and tending to
his fruit trees; he truly lived each and every day like it was his last;
and

WHEREAS, Reynald A. Perry Jr. is survived by his wife of 40 years,
Donna; five sons, Philip, Michael, Reynald III, Rickey, and Andre; one
daughter, Pauline; his 12 grandchildren, Nehemiah, Liberty, Michael Jr.,
Jacob, Marleigh, Reynald IV, Veronica, Andre Jr., Tahara, Jada, DeAndre,
and Richard (Carla); one great-grandson, Asher; six sisters, Pauline,
Hermine, Edith, Margaret, Ruth, and Tryphena; three brothers, Winston,
Nick and David; and one half-brother, Cecil; as well as a legion of
other relatives, clients, friends and neighbors; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Reynald A. Perry Jr. leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Reynald A. Perry Jr. Master Barber, distinguished
citizen and devoted member of his community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Reynald A. Perry Jr.