Profiles Of
Positive Fathers
Today we will start off profiling Charles Leroy Gill, Sr. an exemplary dad and Black entrepreneur that raised his children and continues to be a positive influence for his grandchildren, church, and community in Queens, New York.
If you want to list a positive father figure contact us here.
Blaine E. Smith Sr. (1928 - 1998)
A Celebration of Ordinary but Extraordinary men
A Celebration of Ordinary but Extraordinary men
Blaine E. Smith Sr. (August 11, 1928 - November 3, 1998):
Bio of Blaine E. Smith Sr.
Coordinately, various aspects of one's life can appear to be insurmountable. However, Blaine E. Smith, Sr., he was an individual whom championed many. His life personified that once goals, strategies, and the will to achieve permeates the human spirit life will not shortchange you.
Blaine; a father, husband, educator, and friend amidst all the numerous other responsibilities (mirror one weaving the spin yards of fabric) loved life and life's challenges. His determination and dedication in higher education attest for itself. His commitment and obligation is reflected in his military service. His genuine loving care expressed itself by way of his family. His ability to extend himself by sacrificing time out for those less fortunate is a testament of the man God / God man he truly believed in. One of his favorite quotes from the Holy Scriptures was "Love thy neighbor as you would love thyself."
He had the uncanny gift of weaving all the different facets of his life together to manifest one whom lived his life to the fullest. If amongst us now, he would admonish those present - to trust God, love thy brother, give a helping hand and enjoy life each day it is granted to you.
Written by Blaine E. Smith, Jr.
Reflections on Charles Leroy Gill, Sr. "Pop
Pop"
MA-MA (Carmin Gill) and POP-POP Two Outstanding
Grandparents, Church and Community Leaders
By Candyce (19), Christopher (17), and
Ephraim Gill (9) -- Grandchildren
Our Grandfather has always been involved in our lives. We would like to tell you a story about him. I am the oldest grandchild Candyce. I used to sit on my grandfather's lap and comb his hair. He became my live doll baby. He never said no when I wanted to comb his hair or put in rubber bands. His name for me was Sweetheart.
When my bother was born, I was always playing in the yard
with my grandfather. When my brother and I started school he was the class
parent or the class grandparent. We went on many family trips with our
Grandfather to Georgia, Disney World and the Poconos
When our grandfather would pick us up from school, we would go get snacks and stop at Seven-Eleven to get SPURPIES. The rule was only one thing for a snack. My grandfather would take us to his church for all of their affairs and we stayed to lock up. We enjoyed it. Everything revolved around family gatherings. We enjoyed going out to eat and making jokes at the table. Our grandfather would have the funniest sayings or greetings like wonderful, super, bless you my sister, hey, my brother, you got to be kidding.
I am the youngest grandchild, Ephraim. He plays baseball with me. He takes me Go-Cart riding and we skip rocks at the lake together. He even lets my friends spend the night at his house. The best thing I like to do with him is go swimming in the pool with him when we are on vacations together.
As long as we can remember, our grandfather has been involved in our lives-birthday parties, graduations, award ceremonies. He has taught us that family is something to cherish. This letter is just a glimpse into our family and how much our grandfather is an important part of our lives. We are his pride and joy. Even our friends have adopted him and call him POP-POP just like we do.
He is known in the community for being the famous Black photographer and one of the first in our community to own and operate his own business. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to hour our grandfather Charles Leroy Gill, Sr. Better known as "POP-POP".
