Tyrell S. Wilson, Jr.

Tyrell S. Wilson, Jr. was born in Sydenham Hospital in
Harlem, New York on May 20, 1923 to Tyrell S. Wilson, Sr.
and Iris Wilson. After a short stay in Manhattan, the family
moved to the South Bronx where he attended PS 48. In 1939,
his parents purchased property in Gordon Heights where they
started to build their new home. Tyrell continued working and
living in New York City, and would come out to Gordon
Heights on the weekends.

In December 1943, he was inducted into the Armed Forces
and served as a Heavy Equipment Operator with the 828th
Army Air Force Engineers, building air strips and roads
throughout the South Pacific until the end of the war. After
returning from the war he moved to Gordon Heights
permanently, and later married the love of his life, Esther
Spence. They had three boys, Tyrell III, Russell, and Ralph.
Tyrell worked at MacArthur Airport and NorthPort Hospital
for a short while, and then for Republic Aviation where he
worked as a Machinist, producing wing sections for fighter
planes. He held that job for 13 years before being laid off in
1965. A month later, he was hired at Brookhaven National
Laboratory, first in the Machine Shop, then as a Fireman, and
retired after 23 years.
Tyrell was one of the original members of the Gordon Heights
Volunteer Fire Department, and also served as a Fire
Commissioner. Many years later, he became the
Quartermaster of VFW Post 1482 of Gordon Heights.
In 1950, he and Esther had a small home built at 87 Gray
Avenue, next door to his father's home. In 1960, he expanded
the home by building a two-car garage with a large family
room above. He also built two huge speakers for his Citation
stereo system, and often invited family and friends up to his
music room to listen to his large jazz collection.
Tyrell was an avid reader, enjoying National Geographic, Popular
Mechanics, and Popular Science magazines, and was always
building something: bicycles built for two and three, a tree
house, model planes, miniature houses for his granddaughters
to play in. One of his favorite projects was an electromagnet
that would pick up non-ferrous metals, and was willing to
demonstrate to those who said it was impossible. He was
always ready to teach and lend a helping hand when called
upon.
Tyrell was a loving husband to Esther, his wife of 61 years
before her passing in 2009. He leaves behind his three sons,
Tyrell III, Russell, and Ralph; his sister, Ruth and brother,
Robert; four daughters-in-law; five grandchildren; five great
grandchildren; and a host of family and friends.
Job well done, Dad. We love you, and you will be in our hearts forever.
Your sons