Bruce Rendell Hawkins

Bruce Rendell Hawkins

On Sunday, April 22, 2012, Bruce Rendell Hawkins, the fun loving, brilliant patriarch of the Hawkins family transitioned from labor to reward while enjoying a well deserved nights rest. Bruce touched many lives with his signature smile, thought provoking humor, and commanding but soothing baritone voice. He was known as a compassionate but no nonsense man. He led by example and demanded excellence of himself and everyone in his life.

Born in Bronx, New York on February 20, 1958, he was the second of three children of Bernice (Dunn) and Rendell Hawkins, Sr. As a middle child Bruce developed diplomatic and competitive skills early in life. He added to these skills a passion for learning. He excelled in the New York Public School system and at John Jay College and the University of Phoenix. He was a man of many talents. He embraced the responsibility of family and the concept of hard work from the time he was a teen until the day he went to be with the Lord. As a result, he had a rich life full of great experiences and adventures.

Joining him in these adventures was the love of his life Constance (George). He captured her heart when he rode a unicycle from the Bronx to her home in Brooklyn. An old fashioned handsome gentleman who possessed style and panache, he asked her father for her hand in marriage before flying her to the Bahamas to pop the question and present the ring.

On July 10, 1982 Bruce and Connie were joined in holy matrimony and took the vow “until death us do part” seriously. Through sunshine, fire and rain their love stood the test of time. Over the years they produced three sons Bruce Jr., Cory and Cameron. These guys really made their life adventures even more interesting. With them and the rest of the family Bruce shared the wisdom he gained from traveling around the globe with the MLK Male Glee Club and the Golden Gloves during the days of his youth.

Before moving his family to Atlanta, he invested his time, money and love in the children and teens in Brooklyn. Through basketball and the performing arts he captured the attention and imaginations of hundreds of young people who participated in the organizations where Bruce dedicated hundreds of volunteer hours. They include All Saints Athletic League, the Performing Arts and Cultural League, Lindsay Park Association, and the one he organized and truly loved…Park Flava….the Brooklyn Division.

The career that supported his life started in financial services where he held numerous executive positions at Republic National Bank of New York, Affiliated Computer Services Inc. in Woodbridge NY; R.I.C.S Consulting Services in Brooklyn NY; Infinity Mortgage Company and Ultimate Mortgage Services in Atlanta, Ga.

After a much needed hiatus from the finance world, he was recently adding his expertise to Comcast Cable and Delta Airlines. When not working, volunteering or counseling anyone who needed some sage advice, Bruce would escape the demands of his life with a fishing rod in or near calm soothing waters or on the beautiful greens of a golf course.

His ministry and his love of God were reflected in his love and dedication to family, friends and those less fortunate. The life he lived will continue to speak volumes to those he leaves to cherish his memory.

They include his loving mother Bernice Winfrey; devoted wife Connie; sons Bruce Jr., Cory, and Cameron Hawkins; brother Kenneth Hawkins of Florida; sister Susan Hawkins (Diane) of Philadelphia; sister-in-law Avriel George Tarrant (Clyde); brother-in-law David Robinson; aunts Deloris Wyatte, Philadelphia, Salimah Fattah, NY, Grace Dunn Ellis, GA, Eldora Clarke, Vivian Hawkins, Iona Hawkins, Tina Hawkins, NY; uncles Douglas Dunn, Henry Dunn, and Larry Hawkins, NY; nieces/nephews Lashawn Barclift, Bryce Tarrant, Andre Hawkins, Stacy Jones (Steve), Toya Wade (Arthur), Taurean Hawkins, Taylor Hawkins, Ty Hawkins, Keith Robinson (Twiana). And a host of great nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and loving friends. Horis A. Ward Stone Mountain Chapel is in charge of arrangements 770-381-5722. Online condolences may be made at horisawardstonemountainchapel.com