Dick Dickenson, Staten Island Borough Historian, passed away this week. Dick was known, respected, and loved by so many people in New York City's genealogical and historical communities. He was especially well known for his focus on the island's cemeteries and its black history.
With a kind, dignified demeanor and humble intelligence, Richard Dickenson devoted his life to preserving stories -- those belonging both to the living and the dead. He shared those stories on street corners, in telephone conversations and from his office at Borough Hall. Mr. Dickenson always found time to host seminars, answer any historical question and help people trace their roots. He wrote books, newspaper columns and magazine articles. He taught college classes and worked in city governments in California, Connecticut and New York.
He died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 76.
Mr. Dickenson's obituary is available at http://www.silive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news/1144330336227520.xml&coll=1
You can learn more about his life and many activities by doing a Google search.
