Help Needed To Lay LI Civil Rights Warrior, 'A Force', To Rest
SOUTHAMPTON, NY — Services have been set for iconic Long Island civil rights leader Lucius Ware — but his family still needs help to lay him to rest.
“The family of Lucius Ware invites you to join us in honoring his remarkable life and legacy.” an announcement for the services read.
Viewing services for Lucius Ware, 91, who died Tuesday, will be held Friday, October 4, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Brockett Funeral Home, located at 203 Hampton Road in Southampton.
Find out what's happening in Southamptonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Homegoing services will be held on Saturday, October 5 at 11 a.m. at the Hamptons United Methodist Church, located at 160 Main Street in Southampton.
Ware, former president of the Long Island chapter of the NAACP, was a man who devoted his life to the fight for civil liberty and human rights. He was a trailblazer, a community leader and activist, a man of great faith and a fearless and tireless advocate for the people he spent a lifetime defending.
Find out what's happening in Southamptonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
And now, Ware’s needs help to lay the man who was a hero to many to rest.
His daughter Leisha Ware initially created a GoFundMe, “Help Lucius Ware Spend Final Days At Home,” while trying to bring her father home for his final days.
“For over 50 years, my father dedicated his life to education, working as a school teacher and shaping the minds of countless children. He has always been a beacon of strength, kindness, and love,” she said.
His family asked for help from “friends, community members, and kind strangers.”
She added: “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support, prayers, and love during this incredibly difficult time.”
In 2017, the Southampton community came together to celebrate Ware’s 84th birthday and celebrate Ware’s legacy.
A party for Ware was held at the United Methodist Church in Southampton, where guests spoke from the heart about the impact he’s made on lives on the East End and in the nation.
“Lou is in the community,” said Diane Rulnick of the Southampton Anti-Bias Task Force. “Yes, he’s an activist, but he also gets people to know how important values are . . .’democracy’, with a small ‘d.'”
Click Here: brisbane lions guernsey 2019
According to Fred Havemeyer, “He is a dear friend, the best of the best. When it comes to being on the right side and doing the right thing, Lou is right there, with flags flying. And it’s natural — it comes from inside,” he said. “He’s always been a special man. He commands a presence — don’t fool with Lou, if you’re on the wrong side. But if you’re on the right side, he’ll go to hell for you, two times over.”
Charlotte Havemeyer, Fred’s daughter, who grew up with Ware a strong presence in her life, agreed. “He’s a force. He’s an eloquent and intelligent force — a sage person.”
She reflected on the work Ware has done with civil rights movement veteran Bob Zellner. “Both are icons in their own worlds,” she said.
Ware’s work in Southampton Town has been profound, she said. “No one wanted to tackle creating diversity in Town Hall, when even women were minorities,” she said. “It was a difficult thing to open that discussion and say, ‘We mean business,’ but he did it, carefully and methodically. It takes a special person to be able to accomplish something like that without backing down. People follow him. He’s someone you want to follow.”
Ware was instrumental in advocating for affirmative action in Southampton Town and has rallied against institutionalized racism on the East End for decades.
Jim Banks, coordinator of multicultural affairs at Suffolk County Community College, and also chair of Southampton’s anti-bias task force, spoke about Ware’s legacy.
“On Long Island, he has been a pioneer,” Banks said. Banks said he grew up taught by his mother to believe in civil rights for all people. “I was spiritually drawn to him, because of that. I’ve got his back. We stand for, and believe in, the same things.”
Ware, addressing the group gathered in the garden at the time, enjoying a summer buffet, spoke of his son, learning to surf in Hawaii.
“You could just see them way out there. Finally, he’d get a wave in and come in. And then they’d have to go back out. They’d get a joy of coming in resting a bit and going out again. And they’d do it again and again, every day. And that’s the way it is, unfortunately, with civil rights. We make some gains, sit on our laurels, and have to go back — again and again. That’s just the simple truth of it, and I applaud those that do that on a daily basis.”
To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.