Gary Townsell Sr.

Gary Webster Townsell Sr was born on Dec. 15 1948, the 2nd son of the late William Townsell and Ethel Gavin.

A very good student, he graduated from Thomas Edison H.S at the age of 16, he worked various jobs before landing his dream job in the Phila. Public school system as a school police officer, he also worked for WDAS on the weekend during their live Sat. night broadcasts.

A people person, Gary (Block ) as he was lovingly called by many, never met a person he didn’t like, and if he met you once he never forgot your name and would greet you with a warm and sincere greeting. Block loved to read and stayed up to date on all the current events and trends, he could be seen sitting somewhere on his beloved Columbia Ave talking about them with his many friends, especially his lifelong best friend  Arthur Stewart (Tank).

On Sunday Aug. 2 Block was called home to be with his God, who he recognized as his Lord and Savior. Block was preceded in death by his parents, and he is survived by his children Gary Jr., Terrance, Ameen, Samira, and Saleem, one stepdaughter Candie Price, her husband Arthur,  many grandchildren,  his beloved older brother William (Brent), sister-in-law Doraldeen, nephews Rasheed and Rahsaan, a great nephew Jafari a host of cousins and many,