ALPHONSO PURSE, JR.

Alphonso Purse Jr. was born on June 27, 1945 at New York Hospital Harlem World, New York to Alphonso Purse Sr. of Florida and Bessie Austin of Georgia.  Affectionately known as “Pooney” since childhood, he was the youngest of the Purse siblings, joining Yvonne, Abbey, and Doniver in a household filled with love and life on 152nd Street.   

Al was a true Harlemite and enjoyed the life and culture of the city.  He enjoyed playing stickball with the neighborhood kids and basketball with Lew Alcindor better known as Kareem Abdul Jabar.  

As young man, Al worked the City and the State of New York as an officer in various capacities.  In 1974, his son Alphonso Purse III was born, followed by son Doniver in 1980 and Ray in 1984.

Al was a man of many outdoorsman talents and simple pleasures. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, often taking his sons and grandchildren on fishing trips. He loved life especially food and cooking for family and friends.  His love of stickball turned into a love of baseball.  As a Father, he often took his sons to Yankees and Mets games.  Another favorite past time of Al’s was laughing and making jokes.  He enjoyed embarrassing his kids and grandchildren with funny stories and playing practical jokes on them in public.

Alphonso leaves behind many memories for his loved ones to cherish. He is survived by his devoted sons, Alphonso, Doniver, and Ray; his stepdaughter, Cindy; and his daughters-in-law, Trina and Ria. He also leaves behind a multitude of grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom he loved and adored, alongside a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends.

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