Henry Richardson

Obituary For Henry Richardson

On a hot summer’s day in Harlem, NY, that’s where it all started. Bartavia Ellis Richardson huffed and puffed a force of nature into the world. That juggernaut pushed into the world on August 12, 1940 would be named after his father Henry. Henry Harold Richardson had arrived.

Harold, as his close family would lovingly call him entered the world during the Harlem Renaissance. Imagine every movie, every documentary you have ever seen about 1940’s Harlem and the scene is set. Harold and his younger sister Joan grew, thrived, went to school and ran the streets of Harlem with agemates of every religion, hue, and ethnic origin. Harold was “jumped” into a local gang called The Sharks. The Sharks are the ones who gave him the nickname “Champ.” Harold was out sized and out matched by those “initiating” him into The Sharks, but that did not stop him from fighting for his place, or for his life. The fight went on far longer than it should have as Harold latched onto his opponent like a bull dog, and wouldn’t stop battling until his opponent “stayed down.” Henry Harold Richardson would carry this “Champ” energy with him into every board room and battle thereafter.

Henry’s parents moved home to North Carolina when he was in his early teens, where he continued his secondary education in the public school system. His seventh-grade year would change his life forever, as he took a shine to a classmate named Corene Toomer. Harold was very physically fit, and a natural athlete. Upon graduating high school, he matriculated at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina where he earned his B.S. Degree in Food and Nutrition & Institutional Management. Along with being the first male to major in home Economics at A &T, Harold also played football, and was on the baseball team with Jessie Jackson long before Jessie took the world stage. Harold was also one of the original NC A&T students who sat at the infamous Woolworth’s lunch counter, facing down vicious racists with the same “Champ” fierceness he forged in Harlem.

After his undergraduate degree, he completed an internship to become a registered dietician, thus preparing him for a thirty-five-year career as an executive in the food services industry, beginning with the New York State Department of Mental Hygiene, followed by two years in the United States Army. Over the years, Henry worked in the Health Care Division of several companies, rising to the position of Vice President with Marriott/Sodexho from which he retired in 2002.

On December 19, 1964, Corene Toomer became Corene Toomer Richardson. Henry married his childhood sweetheart, and from that union, they had one daughter, Tonya Renee. Henry and Corene shared a richly rewarding life together… traveling the world and loving each other for over 61 years.

Henry was a devout Christian. His early years were spent attending Mother A.M.E. Zion Church in Harlem. The Richardson’s have always been unyielding members of the church. Henry Harold Richardson gave his all to every church he joined. Bethlehem Bible Church is his church home here in Sarasota. He served in several ministries including the Board of Directors, the Usher Board, the Scholarship Committee, the Youth Ministry, the Food Bank, and most especially the ongoing History Ministry. Henry was there whenever and wherever the church needed him. He was extremely proud of the work and mentorship he provided for the church’s young men’s youth group.

In addition to his tireless church membership, Henry held membership in the following organizations: Manasota ASALH/Association for the Study of African American Life and History, JAF/Just About Friends, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, the Marriott Quarter Century Club, and the National Restaurant Association. Henry was an amazing chef, a keen gardener and a wonderful freehand fine artist.

On Thursday, July 23, 2026 Henry Harold Richardson went home to glory. Henry was born on August 12, 1940 in New York City to Bartavia and Henry Richardson who preceded him in death. He had two sisters, Joan Terrell and Shirley Wolfe, who also preceded him in death.

In addition to his loving wife Corene and daughter Tonya, Henry leaves behind over 100 nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of loving friends.

Visitation will be held from 6:00pm-8:00pm on Friday, July 31, 2026 at Jones Funeral Home. Services will be held 3:00pm on Saturday, August 1, 2026 at Bethlehem Bible Church. Funeral arrangements by Jones Funeral Home.

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