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Kevin Germany
In Memory of
Kevin
Germany
1952 - 2018
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Obituary for Kevin Germany

Kevin  Germany
Kevin Everett Germany was born on September 25th, 1952 to Benjamin and Ernestine Germany (Davis). He was a bright student who participated in the Scholastic Academic Quiz Competition current affairs T.V. program as a member of his high school academic team, when he was seventeen years old. He later went on to earn his Associate Degree at Voorhees Technical Institute/CUNY and his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science at Queens College. Kevin is also a Veteran of the United States Army.
Kevin’s life is a unique journey that cannot be told without its joys and sorrows. The man whom his family loved so dearly suffered from mental health challenges. His loving mother and family never stopped believing and praying for him. In November, 1990, after walking away from the hospital where he was being treated as an inpatient, Kevin called is mother but refused to tell her where he was or to return home. It seems he wanted to talk to her, maybe one last time.
Kevin’s story can’t be told here like a seamless narrative because for reasons that only God knows, there are many unknown chapters. Perhaps the best and only way to recount his life is through the voices and various precious memories of the people who knew the best parts of him. Kevin Germany walked his big sister down the aisle and gave her away at her wedding forty-eight years ago. His brother in law, Japhet, met him during one of his visits to 148-05, while he was still courting Vanessa. Japh recalls having the opportunity to interact with him over many subsequent visits.
JAPHET ZWANA: His brother in law, Japhet, met him during one of his visits to 148-05 while he was still courting Vanessa. Japh recalls having the opportunity to interact with him over many subsequent visits. Kevin was a blithe and exuberant young man. Like many American youngsters, he had many questions to ask about me and Africa. He was particularly interested in things cultural like music (his passion), clothing, food and the everyday life of youth like him. He was fascinated by the explosive sounds in the Zulu/Xhosa language and laughed his heart out when he tried affirmative, there were indications of concern on his part as he inquired, “Will she be to imitate me but stumbled. He wanted to know whether I was going to take his sister to Rhodesia (then)/Zimbabwe after we got married. When I answered in the able to come back?” Kevin enjoyed the company of family. The basement provided enough music for him; street life did not attract him that much. I miss him a great deal.
CARMENITA LADIPO: My brother Kevin Germany was very affectionate and ambitious. He had an ambition to become an architect. He was indeed a “soul brother.” Loving music, he always had the house rocking and he was a very smooth dancer. He was the one who had the quote “good hair.” Sporting a thick Afro, he was a good looking guy. The last time I saw him was at his appointment in Brooklyn. I never knew it would be the last time I would see him. I surely miss him.
THANDI ‘VANESSA’ ZWANA: Kevin earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Queens College. I remember a newspaper clipping when he was seventeen in high school. He competed in an Academic Competition with his high school team against another school. I remember how he walked his big sister down the aisle and gave me away at my wedding forty-eight years ago.”
KAREN MYERS: I am the little sister who is proud to call Kevin Germany her Big Brother. Growing up as Kevin’s little sister really had its perks. In grade school every argument was squashed by “man do you know who she is…she’s Kevin’s little sister; you better leave her alone”. As a teenager, every potential boyfriend didn’t get a chance because I was known as “Kevin’s little sister”. Aside from the cloak of protection I wore in the neighborhood, Kevin was always there at home when I needed him most. He was the trusted brother who convinced my parents (after my begging and pleading failed) to let me go on the summer bus rides when I was just thirteen, assuring them he would be my personal escort. Kevin taught me about character and honor when he shared many of his mantras like “Your word is your Bond”. He even taught me how to pick the right boyfriend; “If he doesn’t treat you as good as your father, then you need to stay home.” I love my brother and will always cherish the good times we shared and will always be honored to be known as Kevin’s little sister.
GARY WILLIAMS: His cousin, Gary, fondly remembers having fun with him during trips to Rockaway’s playland or going fishing. Gary recalls, …spending time in his basement apartment just talking, just joking, just laughing, just being with this ghetto child; or Kevin teaching me to ride a bike! We talked about boy things like girls, courage, intelligence and self-respect. We talked about being Black and loving it! We shared our dreams and ambitions about racism and our black struggle.
WILMA GERMANY: His Auntie Wilma Germany has this to offer. I was greatly pleased when I met the offspring of Benjamin Germany. There was Vanessa “The Songbird”, Carmenita “The Philosopher” and Kevin “The Charmer.” I was accepted by all three and I proudly proclaimed them as my nieces and nephew. Being a part of Kevin’s family has meant so much! The rewards have been great. The Germany family can be described as a “talented musical dynasty.” Kevin, like his siblings, enjoyed singing. He took part in singing the family’s theme song, “By and By When the Morning Comes.” We don’t know the why, who and how. We do know that By and By, When the Morning Comes, Christ is going to gather his children and take them home. We will understand it better, by and by. My prayers, hopes and wishes are that Kevin, along with myself and ALL of my family, will be there.”
K-Kempt E-Energetic
V-Vibrant I-Interesting
N-Neat G-Gregarious
E-Eager R-Reasonable
M-Musical A-Amiable
N-Nurturing Y-Young
SUBMITTED BY Wilma Germany
VUSUMUZI ZWANA: As a boy my memories of Uncle Kevin were always as a young nephew who looked up to, looked forward to and appreciated any chance I had to hang with my Big Uncle Kevin. Uncle Kevin stayed in the basement of Grandmas house (which I thought was the greatest thing ever. Better than your own room it felt as though he had his own house!) and I could always hear the sounds of the Commodores, Earth Wind & Fire and other classic groups pumping out of that basement and I loved it! These were some of my earliest introductions to timeless music which Uncle Kevin always had. Food was ready? Grandma, Grandpa or Mom needed something from the basement? I was your man! Knock on that door and hope I got to spend as much time down there in Uncle Kevin’s World of Paradise as possible. I don’t know if I could really know back then how profound an effect these moments would have on me as a man influencing how I dress, walk, talk and carry myself as a man. As far as I was concerned, it didn’t get much better than this as a young cat from Upstate New York who always looked forward to coming to spend time with my family in the City. Those chances to get in that basement (which didn’t happen as often as I would have liked!) and just being around him made me feel as grown as I was going get at that point. I was able to hear his music, see his clothes, shoes, hair care products and all this helped me form my ideas of what a young cool black man should be. Between those moments being around him and my other Uncles like Anthony and Mark gave me a sense of pride and instilled in me a confidence that a little black boy needed. Uncle Kevin was one of my earliest models of what I would hope to become and I will always love, miss and cherish him for what he means to me and our family.
GLEN WARE: When he first moved from Rockaway Beach, he was doing a dance he called The Giraffe. He climbed on top of the garage and roof tops. He attended a lot of house parties. He enjoyed having the gang over in the basement to play pool. He was a particular dresser. He was a member of the Royal Knights social club growing up. We gave bus rides and dances. Maybe cousin Gary said it best when he said, “How do I tell that story? I don’t know but what I do know is I miss him; the idea that he’s here somewhere… so I’ll keep it simple. I miss my cousin with all my heart!” WE ALL DO!
Kevin Everett Germany is survived by his three loving sisters Carmenita Ladipo, Thandi Vanessa Zwana, Karen Myers and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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