Reginald Brathwaite

October 18, 1953 - August 26, 2019

Reginald Brathwaite was born in Brooklyn, New York on October 18, 1953 to the late Mildred Young Reaves. He was the oldest of thirteen siblings. Reginald, affectionately known as “Bob” was educated in the NYC school system where he attended Public School 138, Lefferts Junior High School and Erasmus High School in Brooklyn, NY. Following High School, Bob worked in the garment industry for many years. As a youth, Bob was one of the fastest individuals around. His speed, which was initially on display as a member of the Brooklyn Striders, allowed him to flourish in other sports, particularly softball and basketball. Bob met and later married Lavonia Williams in 1979. Later that year, their son Reginald was born. Although they were no longer married, they remained good friends and loving co-parents to Reggie. Bob also had a daughter, Tanisha Johnson from a previous union. Bob was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. He has always demonstrated one quality in strong comparison to the biblical character Barnabas (“Son of Encouragement”). He was always encouraging to others. Similarly, he was a strong man of faith and leaves behind a lasting legacy. God blessed him to encourage and that is what he did. Perhaps Bob’s greatest strength as a coach was to encourage players that were not extremely talented and help them maximize their potential and perform beyond their skill level. Bob was one of the best dancers in Brooklyn in the early 1970s, when the number one dance was the Hustle. He used to dance with two girls at once! He would love to dance at popular clubs in Manhattan like Studio 54, Latin Quarters and The Palladium. Bob had tremendous love, respect and admiration for his family, friends and of course, the many kids he coached. He was the type of person that would give you his last. He was very popular and well-loved. It seemed everywhere he went, he knew people. When Bob greeted others, it often left many of us to wonder…who didn’t Bob know? Coach Bob or Coach Reggie, had a passion for coaching refereeing and coaching basketball and he loved being a part of that world, which spanned over 50 years. Coaching was priceless to him and he chose to do it whether he was paid or not. It was a major part of his life and he committed to it with all his heart and soul. Bob was a family man. When he wasn’t coaching, we were blessed to receive his prayers and profession of love for God in frequent group texts that he shared with us. He often bragged about his children and grandchildren, who meant the world to him. He was overjoyed at becoming a grandfather. Bob had a heart of gold, and was unselfish in sharing his knowledge and love for the game. He had a unique relationship with each of his brothers and sisters as well as his nieces and nephews, often making us laugh or schooling us about the latest basketball players or college and professional basketball teams. When it came to family events and gatherings, Bob was always excited and eager to attend in order to share his good humor, and to cut up on the dance floor. At 65, Bob could still out-dance most of us! Bob never allowed his recent health issues to prevent him from giving advice and was still the protector that big brothers should be. Bob’s love for basketball occupied the greater part of his life as he stayed close to the game after playing by refereeing and coaching. He began coaching basketball in his early teens at Saint Peter Claver and Our Lady of Victory churches in Brooklyn, NY. His selflessness and knowledge of the game allowed him to coach thousands of youth throughout New York and North Carolina. His emphasis on academic and athletic excellence resulted in many of his players going on to experience stardom on the high school, college and professional levels. He later relocated to Raleigh, NC, where he continued on his path in reaching youth and providing instilling hope for a better tomorrow. Bob created his own basketball team in Raleigh, NC called the Future Stars Youth Ballers. In addition to starting his own team, he was also a member of the Athletic Director Training Program of CIC (Coaches in Christ) and Unique Allstars Academy. Bob worked hard and tirelessly coaching young players just before his untimely passing. Bob departed this life on August 26, 2019 following a short hospital stay. He leaves to mourn: two children, Tanisha Johnson and Reginald (Reggie) Brathwaite; one daughter-in-law Flore Brathwaite; three grandchildren, Roderick Johnson, Ryan Brathwaite and Reginald Vaughn Brathwaite Jr.; four brothers, Henry, Charles, James, and Sekou; and five sisters, Jacqueline, Mildred, Denise, China and Sheila. Also left to mourn are, three brothers-in-law, Aaron, Robert and Raymond, two sisters-in-law, Karen, and Hashani, his life partner for the past 17 years, Sharonda Daye, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. Bob was preceded in death by his mother, Mildred Young Reaves, grandparents, Charles and Iris Brathwaite, two brothers, Gregory and Grady, Jr., two sisters, Beverly and Cynthia, one brother-in-law Larmas, one nephew, Andre, and one niece, Sonae. Bob, we love you more than we could ever express, but we know that God always loves you the best. Rest in peace beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, basketball coach and friend. Although we will miss you dearly, the memories and good times we shared will remain in our hearts – forever.