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Charles P. Buchanan [[image - Charles P. Buchanan]] Businessman, civic leader and humanitarian, died in Harkness Pavillion, Presbyterian Hospital, New York City, on Tuesday, December 11, 1984 after a long illness, at the age of 86. The son of the late James and Lillian Buchanan, he was born in Barbados, British West Indies and migrated to New York City in 1904, and attended elementary school, Morris High School, and Rhodes Business and Prep School here. He began his business as a real estate broker, and joined the Savoy Ballroom Corporation in 1926, remaining as manager and secretary-treasurer until it was forced to shut down in 1958 to make way for Delano Village, the housing development. In 1929 he wed his first wife, the late Assemblywoman Bessie Allison Buchanan, who in 1954 was the first Black woman to be elected to the New York State Legislature. Their union lasted until her death on September 7, 1980. During his 32 years with the Savoy, it gained world-wide fame as the leading emporium for black and white jazz musicians, and the song, "Stomping At The Savoy," became a classic. The big bans of Chick Webb, Duke Ellington, Cootie Williams, Lionel Hampton, Lucky Millinder, Jimmy Lunceford as well as Benny Goodman and Charlie Barnett made the Savoy one of their main New York showcases. Together with booking agent Moe Gale, of the Associated Booking Corp., they managed and guided the early careers of many jazz artists of the 30's and 40's, including Ella Fitzgerald and the Ink Spots. For several years he also managed the Golden Gate Auditorium. A soft-spoken business executive, "Mister B," as he was affectionately known to thousands throughout the entertainment and night-life communities, assisted hundreds of community groups and individuals with his generosity and human kindnesses during his long and illustrious career. Following the closing of the Savoy, he returned to the real estate business and became President and later Chairman of the Board of the United Mutual Life insurance Company, at 310 Lenox Avenue, remaining on the board after stepping down from the top executive posts upon reaching the retirement age. "Charlie" Buchanan was considered on of New York City's finest citizens, and in 1961 more than 1,000 fellow New Yorkers joined in a testimonial dinner to honor him for his many years of distinguished leadership in civic and communal affairs. He was active in raising funds and served on the boards of many organizations, including the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the Harlem YMCA, the United Negro College Fund, Associated Community Teams, the Uptown Chamber of Commerce, the American Tennis Association, the Riverdale Children's Association, the National Urban League, and the New York Urban League, in addition to working closely with the late Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. and other local political leaders in numerous community causes. He is survived by his widow, Annabelle, and a nephew, Theodore W. Leslie. [[images - scenes from the funeral]] 245
