Von Blasingame died on Jan. 18, after a brave battle with Parkinson’s illness and dementia, his household mentioned. He was 76.
He performed a pivotal position in supporting Black-owned companies in Harlem by way of his work with the Better Harlem Chamber of Commerce, which honored him with its Harlem Excellent Service Award.
“He served the Harlem community,” mentioned his spouse Gwendolyn, who was married to Von Blasingame for 47 years. “He was able to showcase some of Harlem and the small businesses. He basically knew just about everyone. He made sure the businesses were prominent.”
Amongst his favorites was Londel’s Supper Membership on Frederick Douglass Blvd.
Von Blasingame’s sendoff can also be steeped in Harlem historical past. His memorial service will likely be held at midday on Saturday at Unity Funeral House on Frederick Douglass Blvd. It was the identical funeral residence known as into service after Malcolm X’s assassination in 1965 and once more greater than 30 years later, when his widow, Betty Shabazz, died from accidents she suffered in a fireplace set by their grandson.
Von Blasingame was born in Washington, D.C. into group activism. As an toddler, his household turned the primary Black residents of River Terrace in Washington, going through hostility and violence as they built-in the neighborhood.
They obtained threatening telephone calls, rocks by way of the window of their residence and fires set of their backyard.
Von Blasingame’s highschool years gave him the chance to check overseas in London, sparking a lifelong love of journey.
He attended Mackinaw Faculty in Michigan and Coe Faculty in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the place he graduated in 1970 with a level in political Science and Historical past.. After commencement, he backpacked throughout Europe earlier than returning residence to earn a Grasp’s diploma in City Planning from Howard College.
In 1978, Von Blasingame married Gwendolyn Greene after assembly her at a celebration in Harlem. They settled on the Higher West Facet and raised two daughters, Kara and Sasha.
In lieu of flowers or items, the household requested that donations be given to the Uptown Grand Central in Harlem, a nonprofit devoted to remodeling E. one hundred and twenty fifth St. by way of the planting of bushes and flowers.
