Wake Held for longtime civil rights leader Wilbur Aldridge in Haverstraw
Aldridge was the longtime director of the Mid-Hudson branch of the NAACP.
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Friends, family members and community leaders gathered at Calvary Baptist Church in Haverstraw to honor the life and legacy of longtime civil rights advocate Wilbur Aldridge, who died earlier this month at the age of 80.
Aldridge was the longtime director of the Mid-Hudson branch of the NAACP and spent decades fighting for equality and social justice throughout the Hudson Valley.
People at the wake tell News 12 that Aldridge's work helped advance equality and create opportunities for countless residents across Rockland County and beyond.
"What you saw out in the forefront was the same way he was behind the scenes. And those who had no voice or whose voice was being smothered by oppressive systems, he was right there to stand up for them," said Pastor Greg Merriweather, of the Calvary Baptist Church.
"I first met Wilbur in the later 80's early 90's when he became an affirmative action administrator," said president of the Spring Valley NAACP branch, Willie Trotman. "I've continued to work with him throughout the years, he continues to be an activist and stand up for civil rights for everyone, and he believed in that."
Now it's about keeping his memory alive.
"No matter how young you are, how old you are, you can still do the work. He did it in and out of the hospital, still doing the work, still fighting. And so he's just, he's just left an example that we can all follow," said president of the Middletown NAACP Cindy-Lee Dorcely.
Aldridge's funeral is taking place on Aug. 22.
