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Obituary
VanRyne O Somme Jr., 77, succumbed to a twenty-seven year battle with lung cancer on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at Forsyth Medical Center.
Born March 4, 1935 in Harlem, New York, Van boasted growing up on 128th Street, Building 40 which was the only building with an elevator and still standing today. He graduated from George Washington High School in 1953. On May 29, 1957, Van married his childhood friend Shirley. They played together as friends from nine years of age and developed many friendships with other neighborhood kids that still exists today. These friendships lasted because Van was a genuine caring person that was always happy and made others feel good.
Van was a tithing member of St. Martins Episcopal Church in Harlem where he taught Sunday school, was married, and had his children christened. He served in the US Air Force and was stationed in Germany where he learned to speak German. During his military service, he served four years during the Korean War where he operated the T Bird Aircraft. On weekend leave, he enjoyed traveling throughout Europe. He was employed by the United States Postal service and New York City Transit. After his retirement at age 58, he moved to North Carolina and became an avid fan of the North Carolina Panthers. He enjoyed the company of others, playing cards, building model trains and most of all, telling jokes. In addition, he was a collector of trains, stamps, and coins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, VanRyne and Eleanor Somme; and his younger sister Eleanor "Bootie".
Van is survived by his wife of 55 years, Hermine "Shirley" Somme; four children, Anthony (Diana) of Winston-Salem, Laverne of Bronx NY, VanRyne III (Alejandra) of Queens NY, Charrisse (Marlon) of Winston-Salem; a cousin; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and extended family. Van was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend to all.
Memorial services will be held at 2pm Saturday, February 2, 2013 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel. A time of gathering will begin one hour prior to the services.
In lieu of flowers, you may wish to celebrate the life of our dear loved on by making a donation to the American Cancer Society in his honor.
Online condolences can be left on VanRyne Somme's memorial tribute at www.yourtribute.com
Born March 4, 1935 in Harlem, New York, Van boasted growing up on 128th Street, Building 40 which was the only building with an elevator and still standing today. He graduated from George Washington High School in 1953. On May 29, 1957, Van married his childhood friend Shirley. They played together as friends from nine years of age and developed many friendships with other neighborhood kids that still exists today. These friendships lasted because Van was a genuine caring person that was always happy and made others feel good.
Van was a tithing member of St. Martins Episcopal Church in Harlem where he taught Sunday school, was married, and had his children christened. He served in the US Air Force and was stationed in Germany where he learned to speak German. During his military service, he served four years during the Korean War where he operated the T Bird Aircraft. On weekend leave, he enjoyed traveling throughout Europe. He was employed by the United States Postal service and New York City Transit. After his retirement at age 58, he moved to North Carolina and became an avid fan of the North Carolina Panthers. He enjoyed the company of others, playing cards, building model trains and most of all, telling jokes. In addition, he was a collector of trains, stamps, and coins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, VanRyne and Eleanor Somme; and his younger sister Eleanor "Bootie".
Van is survived by his wife of 55 years, Hermine "Shirley" Somme; four children, Anthony (Diana) of Winston-Salem, Laverne of Bronx NY, VanRyne III (Alejandra) of Queens NY, Charrisse (Marlon) of Winston-Salem; a cousin; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and extended family. Van was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend to all.
Memorial services will be held at 2pm Saturday, February 2, 2013 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel. A time of gathering will begin one hour prior to the services.
In lieu of flowers, you may wish to celebrate the life of our dear loved on by making a donation to the American Cancer Society in his honor.
Online condolences can be left on VanRyne Somme's memorial tribute at www.yourtribute.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Vanryne O Somme, Jr., please visit our flower store.
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