Obituary for The Rev. Canon Percy A. Brathwaite REV. CANON PERCY ALPHONSO BRATHWAITE November 19, 1940 – August 23, 2018 Rev.
Canon Percy Alphonso Brathwaite entered into Eternal Life on August 23, 2018. Rev. Canon Percy Brathwaite, affectionately known as “Father Percy” or “Canon Percy”, was born in Black Rock, Barbados, West Indies, the oldest of six children born to Percy Weldon Brathwaite and Octavia Sandiford Brathwaite.
He left Barbados at the age of twenty (20) years after receiving his BA (Honors) Degree in Management and Economics from the University of the West Indies. He relocated to London, England where he studied Aviation and Law. He graduated from the Charter Institute of Transport of London and Wye College with a degree in Agricultural Management.
He also graduated and received an Intermediate LLB in Law from London University. He remained in England for many years doing Aviation and Law. Father Percy came to the United States in 1979 and settled in Brooklyn, New York where he took on a career in banking and management with First Fidelity Bank.
He later moved to Yonkers, New York where he became an active and involved member of St. John’s Episcopal Church Getty Square. Fr. Percy had always been an active member of the Episcopal Church since his childhood, so becoming involved in the Vestry and other church activities was not new to him.
He took on the task of working with Sharing Community, a program dedicated to providing food and shelter to the homeless. Although he had gotten the “call to the Priesthood” on several occasions, he had ignored it until he arrived at St. John’s in Yonkers where the Rector continued to encourage him in his ministry and was subsequently successful in supporting him to answer “the call”. Fr.
Percy entered Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University, where he completed the required three year program in two years receiving a Diploma in Theological Studies and a Masters of Divinity Degree from Yale University. In 1989 he was ordained to the Deaconate at St. John’s Episcopal Church – Getty Square, Yonkers. Later that year he was called to Grace Episcopal Church in White Plains where he was ordained to the Priesthood.
At Grace Episcopal Church in White Plains he served first as an Assistant Rector and later as Associate Rector. It was here at Grace Church – White Plains, that Fr. Percy met the love of his life, Delores Scott Whittle.
They were married at Grace Church and combined and blended their families which then consisted of six children. While at Grace Church White Plains, Fr. Percy managed the homeless shelter, Samaritan House, the soup kitchen and worked diligently in developing and enhancing Caribbean Ministries providing outreach services to many churches in the West Indies.
Fr. Percy established a program to provide computers to various churches in the Caribbean under the leadership of Bishop Drexel Gomez, Bishop of the West Indies. Fr.
Percy was later called to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Harlem as Priest-in-Charge and after a few years went to serve as Vicar at Calvary/St. George’s Episcopal Church in Gramercy Park, New York City, where he remained for several years. He later served briefly as Priest-in- Charge at St. Phillips Church in Harlem until he got the call to go to Grace Episcopal Church – West Farms, Bronx, New York in 2001. Fr Percy served as the Vicar of Grace Episcopal Church – West Farms, Bronx, New York and remained as Priest of this church with responsibility for its theological and spiritual leadership until he retired in 2012.
Canonically resident in New York, he served in several churches In the Dioceses of New York and Long Island and also served as the Dean of the Episcopal Churches in the South Bronx for several years. He was also a Canon of the Diocese of Ideato, Nigeria, Africa. In addition to serving Grace Episcopal Church – West Farms, he simultaneously served as Vicar of St. Martha’s Church in the Bronx.
He also served as the Vicar of St. Mary’s Ghanian Church in the Bronx from 2012 to 2015. During his retirement he served as Interim Priest at St. Francis and St. Martha’s Church in Greenburgh (White Plains) until 2016. It is evident that Fr.
Percy gave his life and love to his ministry and the people he served. He was called upon to train and work with new Priests in New York, the Caribbean and in Africa to give them guidance and direction on being a Priest in the Church. Nothing was more important to Canon Percy than bringing the Word of God to others and contributing to the growth and development of Christian values and teachings.
He considered himself to be a true servant of God and was known for saying, “I am here to do God’s work, not mine”. Fr. Percy was a long time advocate and provider for those who are homeless and hungry, always seeking to ensure and find shelter and food for the disadvantaged or for those who were alone.
He also enjoyed working with and mentoring young people always encouraging them to keep God in their life. He was a strong advocate for education. “Education is the key to success” he said, and “no one can take away the knowledge in your head”.
He instilled this same premise in his own children, grandchildren and young people in the church and community. In addition to his church ministry, Fr. Percy was also a Rotarian with Rotary International which focuses on and lives by their motto of “Service above Self”.
A devoted husband, and stern, but loving father, he emphasized success, courage, strong values, responsibility and a seriousness of purpose. Always an avid reader and conversationalist, he enjoyed discussing church and world affairs. Canon Percy was a local, national and international Priest.
Above all, The Rev. Canon Percy Brathwaite loved his family which he said “has been a blessing from God”. He now leaves to cherish his loving memory, his devoted and loving wife of 29 years, the Honorable Delores Scott Brathwaite a Judge for the Town of Greenburgh, Westchester County; their beautiful children, Dr. Paula Brathwaite; Minister Larry Whittle (Erika); Percy Leric Brathwaite (Jeanette); Jason S. Whittle (Anissa); Sascha Frimpong (Shawgy); Shaoun Brathwaite (Guixpy); and 14 grandchildren; Shane, Ryan, Noah and Gabrielle Whittle; Sierra and Sydney Gibson; Rashad and Kiara Brathwaite; Jason Whittle, Jr.; Abigail and Priscilla Frimpong; Mia Brathwaite (Germany); G’Shaoun and Geane Paoul Brathwaite (affectionately called “The Brathwaite Bunch”).
He also leaves to cherish his memory his siblings Verne Brathwaite; Angela Brathwaite Clark (Michael); Carlisle Brathwaite (Nita); Belfield Brathwaite (Marian); his sister Ruth White predeceased him. And a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and parishioners. “When this flesh and heart shall fail; and mortal life shall cease I shall possess within the veil; a life of joy and peace” The Entire Staff of Lee’s Funeral Home, LLC respects that the family of The Rev.
Canon Percy Brathwaite entrusted the care of their loved one to us, and that they value the level of service & attention our funeral home provides. We are honored, in turn, to provide comfort, assistance and service to the family of The Rev. Canon Percy Brathwaite during their time of bereavement.
In LIEU of flowers, the family appreciates/kindly requests contributions be made in his name/memory/honor to: Lifting Up Westchester and/or Association for Education & Rehabilitation of the Blind & Visually Impaired (may be done through donation tab here on website from Menu above or to left, or on your own); and/or on your own to: Open Arms Shelter for Men and/or Samaritan House Shelter for Women, 35 Orchard St., White Plains, NY 10603. The Family thanks you! To send flowers to the family of The Rev.
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