Ronald Alexander Blackwood (January 19, 1926 – February 22, 2017) was a Jamaican-born American politician who served as the mayor of Mount Vernon, New York, for eleven years from 1985 until 1996. On January 25, 1985, Blackwood became the first black Mayor of Mount Vernon, as well as the first black person elected mayor of any municipality in New York state.[1][2][3]
Ronald Blackwood | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Mount Vernon | |
| In office February 4, 1985 – December 31, 1995 | |
| Preceded by | Carmella Iaboni |
| Succeeded by | Ernest D. Davis |
| In office August 29, 1976 – December 31, 1976 | |
| Preceded by | August P. Petrillo |
| Succeeded by | Thomas E. Sharpe |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 January 1926 Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica |
| Died | 22 February 2017 (aged 91) New Smyrna Beach, Florida |
| Political party | Democratic (since 1981)[1] |
| Other political affiliations | Republican (1960–1981)[1] |
| Spouse | Ann Griffin Blackwood |
Blackwood was born in Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica, on January 19, 1926.[1] He immigrated from Jamaica to the United States when he was 28-years old and settled in the New York City suburb of Mount Vernon, New York.[3] He received his bachelor's degree in management from Iona College.[3] Professionally, Blackwood worked for the Honeywell corporation's medical electronics division in Pleasantville, New York, for more than thirty years.[3]
Before becoming mayor, Blackwood served as a member of the Westchester County Board of Supervisors (now known as the Westchester County Board of Legislators) and the Mount Vernon city council for four terms.[3][1]
Blackwood died from complications of Parkinson's disease at his home in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, on February 22, 2017, at the age of 91.[3] He was survived by his wife of 38 years, Ann Griffin Blackwood, and daughter, Helen Blackwood.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Williams, Lena (1985-01-30). "Man in the News; Milestone for New Mt. Vernon Mayor". New York Times. Retrieved 2017-03-19.
- ^ Eberhart, Christopher J. (2017-02-23). "Former Mount Vernon mayor, New York's first elected black mayor has died". The Journal News. Retrieved 2017-03-19.
- ^ a b c d e f g Spillane, Matt (2017-02-27). "Service set for former Mount Vernon mayor Ronald Blackwood". The Journal News. Retrieved 2017-03-19.