The family, friends and associates of Dr. Akil Kokayi Khalfani, the Director of the Africana Institute of Essex County College, Newark, New Jersey, United States of America (USA) are mourning the departure of a Patriarch, Bobby Winford Perry, who went to be with the Ancestors at the age of 85.
Pa Perry, the dear father of Dr. Khalfani, was also a union leader and community servant, and a cherished husband, father, grandpa and great grandpa. In death, he is still being celebrated far and wide by family, friends and associates for the highly impactful life he lived. His wife, Mrs. Harriet Perry, recalls that Bobby was “a strong but gentle man. He loved life and his family. He enjoyed working for the City of Los Angeles and any of the many jobs he had to support his family. He believed in encouraging the young people to get a job and improve their lives for their future endeavors. He always let his family and anyone that accomplished anything know how proud he was of them.”
Daughter Larryssa said, “Every single time I saw him, he told me he loved me and how proud he was of me. And he didn’t just say it to us—he told everyone.”
The rites of passage for the highly respected octogenarian will culminate in the memorial services to be held on Saturday, November 21, 2026 at Forest Lawn, 51990 Jackson St, Coachella, CA 92236.
The Memorial Services will hold from 1:00 PM at the Forest Lawn, while a Reception will follow from 2:30 PM in the Sunrise Room. A Hosted Dinner will be held thereafter at the Old Spaghetti Factory 71-743 CA-111, Rancho Mirage, CA at 4:30pm, according to a notice by Mrs. Perry and the family.
Fond memories of the life and times of Pa Perry will linger on for a long time to come as he will, surely be remembered as a loving motivator, and wise and worthy ancestor.
