People from all over brave the cold to pay respects to Mr. Percy Ellis Sutton at Riverside Church in Harlem, New York.
“He made it clear to all people of African American heritage that there are no limits that should be put on to the possibilities of our accomplishments, that excellence is something that we should always strive for. I was not close to him but I did know him and I did respect him.”
“Mr. Sutton was the original Barack Obama. He was the original Jesse Jackson. Percy Sutton was a phenomenal giant on whose shoulders all of us are standing. As a motivational speaker he has given me many opportunities to perform at the Apollo Theater. The fact is he is my icon.”
Memorial wreaths at Percy Sutton’s funeral at Riverside Church.
“He has helped me in so many ways. He was a great man. I will really, really miss Mr. Sutton.”
“Well, he was the President of our Harlem. I’ve known him for many years. He was one of the kindest man. He has helped so many people.”
“He was an extraordinary man, extremely gifted and very committed to uplifting not just African-Americans but people of all nationalities. I think that his legacy lives on because what he meant to so many people who are active today.”
“Mr. Sutton came to my wedding but he did that for anybody that knew him. All you had to do was ask and he would show up. I met Mr. Sutton when I was about 13-years-old, he was running for office at the time. He was our attorney when we used to picket at Civil Rights demonstrations. The first time I needed an attorney, it was him. I am going to miss him. He was certainty a Harlemite at heart.”
“He first came into my life when I was graduating from P.S. 136 junior high school in Harlem. He came to address my junior high school class. I will never forget his tale about having coming from Texas and wearing a ten gallon hat.”
“I knew Mr. Sutton when I worked on his campaign when I was about 28-years-old. I worked very diligently for him. I really wanted him to be the mayor of New York City.”
“He was a great man. A great humanitarian. He made great contributions to New York City.”
The coffin adorned with flowers.
