By Rina Risper
Publisher and President
Alvin Haynes Sr. who was affectionately known as “Big Al” walked into the arms of Jesus on September 29, 2007 due to complications from diabetes. He was born on August 18, 1941 to Oscar and Emily Haynes.
He was a 25-year veteran retired police officer from New York City’s 79th Precinct in Bedford Styvesant, Brooklyn, NY. Alvin was an Army veteran who served during the Vietnam War. He worked very closely and tirelessly with young people at Boys & Girls High School. He had a photography business, “Creative Photography”, which started as a hobby and loved model trains.
He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Surviving him are his four children; Lenka J. Wright, Rina Risper (Frank), owners of The New Citizens Press from Lansing, MI, Alvin E. Haynes, Jr. and Kendra C. Nugent (Garfield) who lovingly took care of him during the last years of his life. He is also survived by his siblings; Clarence Haynes and Phyllis Humes; grandchildren, Janel, Gianni, Jahmal, Keonjah, Anissa and Amir; former wife, Kay Carrington and a host of relatives and friends.
The family wishes to gratefully acknowledge Ada LaBorde and her family; who graciously stepped in and made our family’s burden easier to bear. We also thank Jay Middleton for being a friend to Alvin when he needed it the most. Thank you all for the kind words, prayers and other expressions of love.
Photography was like a silent echo to our father. His love for anticipated smiles and the right light gave us shape and form. He saw the big picture and seized it when he had the opportunity.
A place in our hearts is vacant and we will not be able to fill it. But as time passes and you look at the work he has done, the people, places and things conjure up new thoughts and memories. The shutter is silent but the memories will always remain.
The viewing was at Rose’s Funeral Home, Inc., 1705 Fifth Avenue, North Bay Shore, (Long Island), on Thursday, October 4, 2007. Funeral services were at First Baptist Church, 175 Second Avenue. Bay Shore, NY, 11706. In lieu of flowers, for those who would like to make a donation send to Hospice, 99 Sunnyside Blvd. Woodbury, NY 11797. The family would also like to thank the employees at Cablevision, where Alvin Jr. and Kendra both worked for providing insurmountable support during this difficult time. The Risper family would like to especially thank Carrie Owens, Joseph Harris and Tiya Kunaiyi for making sure that the family members who stayed behind in Michigan were well taken care of.
We would like to thank Richard Galosy for helping with fixing the photos and our special friend from Washington D.C. who now resides in the Midwest for being there when I needed her the most.
