Honor Reynald Perry Jr.

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.