Obituary of Robert B. Wilson Jr.

Robert B. Wilson, Jr. passed away on November 11, 2023, at 62 years young. He is predeceased by his parents, Robert B. Wilson, Sr., and Carole Wilson.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, November 24, 2023, from 4-7pm at Falvo Funeral Home, 1395 N. Goodman Street, Rochester, NY 14609. A service will be held on Saturday, November 25, at 10am-12pm at Memorial AME Zion Church, 549 Clarissa Street, Rochester, NY 14608. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery.

Those wishing to attend the Saturday service remotely will have an opportunity to join via Zoom at: https://zoom.us/j/2767575655 (Click on the link to join by computer or by phone).

Meeting ID: 2767575655

Password: 633427

Robert graduated from State University of New York at Buffalo and was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. After graduation, he spent his entire adult life as a community organizer and activist, mentoring countless public servants in the Rochester and Buffalo areas. He worked on numerous high-profile campaigns, including grassroots organizing for current Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, and former Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren, and as campaign manager for former New York State Senator Antoine Thompson. Robert knew how to put others at ease, and generously shared his expertise in helping constituents understand the stakes for their communities. He genuinely believed in the power of the franchise, and the importance of personal and civic empowerment in society.

Less well known is that Robert was a talented musician. He was magic on the keyboards, piano and organ, and he will be sorely missed by all who enjoyed hearing him play, and those who loved and cared about him.

Robert is survived by his sisters, Veronica and Diane Wilson, his brothers Kenneth and Tony (Latifah) Wilson, his former wife Juanita R. Banks-Reid, nephews LaVonn Wilson and Alton McKinney, various great nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends.