In Memory of Elgin Stephenson
Elgin passed away suddenly on Easter Sunday 2020, a victim of Coronavirus. He had been in the hospital a week but was starting to breathe easier and recover so his sudden departure was a shock to his friends and family who were all willing his speedy recovery.
To say Elgin was a good man is an understatement. Elgin radiated kindness and warmth, he was the first to help anyone and the first to laugh too. His whole body would shake with mirth, Elgin loved life and loved to laugh.
His sense of humor and infectious laugh touched anyone he met. Elgin always came from a good place, he gave everyone the benefit of the doubt and always tried to help and had a unique way of listening to someone. His calm demeanor often diffused a situation. A skilled carpenter by trade, Elgin has many friends who he met working on a job and stayed in touch with, if they shared his moral code and work ethic. Our paths first crossed with him back in the early 2000’s and he has been a big part of our lives since.
No one could forget meeting Elgin. His many Jamaican friends called him Tall Man - at six foot eight, Elgin was the tallest man many of us had ever met, his heart was absolutely giant sized. He gave his time, ear, skills and money to those in need and if you were lucky enough to be his friend, boy were you rich!
Elgin was a big part of many communities, for the last 5 years he lived and worked in Harlem and made many friends at 13 E131st St and at his home at 4 E132nd St. Everyone in those buildings is in shock and what has been so touching is how many people have an Elgin story, he made an impact on people’s lives and they have recounted his acts of kindness or words of wisdom. He took pride in making sure he was available at a time of need, helping someone new to NYC acclimatize and settle in, build a shelf, assemble an impossible IKEA bed frame, or just sit on the stoop and let someone talk about their day.
Elgin was liked and respected on the block, he ensured our buildings were well maintained, protected and respected, all the while keeping them clean and ensuring a safe place for all of us.
Elgin had so much history and ties to the Bronx, where he lived for many years. Every Saturday night he would return to his old neighborhood to spend time with his friends, to play Dominoes, drink a bit of rum and laugh and relax. He had favorite spots he would go to and would walk in and always know someone and be sure of a warm welcome. He would take such pride in supporting local friends and businesses, securing work for friends whenever he could to share the good fortune.
Elgin leaves behind his beloved girlfriend Carolyn, his face would light up when talking about her and he protected and looked forward to the the time they spent together. Carolyn was embraced by Elgin’s family and spent many memorable moments with them during visits. He also loved her daughter and was happy to help look after her when Carolyn traveled for work. He proudly displayed a beautiful picture of her all dressed up in her sweet sixteen dress.
Above all, Elgin loved his family, he was in close contact with his mother Gloria and siblings in St Ann’s Parish in Jamaica. Elgin helped his family financially and it is for them that we have created this fund
Please donate anything you can for his family,every cent will go to Gloria Stephenson, his mother, in his memory. Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with her and all of Elgin’s family at this sad time.
We feel deeply privileged to have known Elgin, he was a truly special man who touched so many people and it is a tragedy that he was taken from us too soon.
Feel free to share your own memories of Elgin.
RIP and in the words of Elgin’s favorite song One Love.
Elgin Stephenson
April 5th 1965 - April 12th 2020
Karie Burt & Matt Crosby April 15th 2020