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He was described, at the time, by the New York Mail the journal American and the Tribune, as a pace-setter and the "Ebony Streak." When he competed with Joe Nutley of the Milrose Club; Joe Pollard of the Morningside Athletic Club; and Morris Gross of Brooklyn, he was noted for his prowess in distance running for the the original St. Christopher's club of St Phillips Church. He was invited to join the N.Y. Athletic Club - a first for New York Blacks. He defeated Obemeyer, a Norwegian American, in 1918, racing past both cattle and automobiles through the streets of Manhattan and establishing a new record of 26 minutes and 10 seconds for the 5 mile long distance race. 

His athletic career was continued even years later as a basketball referee at the old Renny; and through his participation in the Club 26 a Black social club, that aided many young Black men with their education through athletic scholarships.

But last and definitely not least he was Daddy to us and to our neighbourhood friends who experienced his famous pancakes, the special car trips out of the neighborhood, his teasing, his surprise goodies of cakes, lies and candies,and his ability to still beat all the fellows in a good race. He loved his children with a reassuring and consistent gentleness: 

-Margie Stokely Downs, Maydyn Hill, William Stokely, Jr. and myself. Although the 3000 miles prevented Margie's children from sharing time with their grandaddy, Michelle, Rochelle and Zenzille will always remember their grandfather for he became their favourite babysitter. He provided that lap that they could crawl up on and share those very special moments-a special communication that only exist between a grand parent and their grand child-between the wisdom of the past and the hope of the future. 

He always maintained a strong desire for his children and grand children to have those things which he was deprived of-a formal education and more importantly-the family unit. Though both his parents had died by the time he was 7 years old, he always carried an old prototype picture of his mother with him. If it had not been for Daddy's moral support and constant availability-my sister, Madlyn, without anyone to take care of her two daughters and provide her with his special brand of encouragement, would not have been able to graduate tomorrow from college. 

He was a husband who for over thirty shareholder build and keep intact one of our strong Black families, with our mother Hilda Stokely. 

Even though Daddy was not one who was out front in New York's political arena he nevertheless was remembered as one who provided the consistent support and tolerance of political views and activities of those who attempted to make political changes for the betterment of the downtrodden, in this City of extremes-a city consisting of the very wealthy on the one hand and the masses of dispossed poor on the other. 

In his last year's , when his independence and vitality began to wander still was able to gain the admiration and respect of all those who came in contact with him. The staff and other residents of the Jewish Home and Hospital (where he spent his last months) often remarked that he was always the "perfect gentleman", always ready to come to the aide of others, even in his most weakened state-run a wheel chair; and more so, how his manner and carriage was a symbol of defence of the right to age with dignity. He made the work of the most conscious and concerned staff members more aware of their role in defeating the tendency of a society that unfortunately tends to discard the old and strip them of their self-worth and respect.

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