News Release
For Release: July 10, 2009
Contact: Frank Baraff 914-469-3775

Orange to celebrate civic leadership of T. Colson Woody. Ceremony designating street in his honor to be held Friday July 17th 1pm, at Woody’s Funeral Home, 163 Oakwood Avenue.

Pursuant to a resolution of the Orange City Council. Wilson Place between Oakwood Avenue and Central Place has been designated in honor of Former Planning Board and Board of Education Member T. Colson Woody. At the ceremony on Friday, a street sign reading “T. Colson Woody Plaza- In Honorarium” will be unveiled above the existing street sign to recognize and honor Mr. Woody for his many years of dedicated service to Orange. The ceremony is sponsored by Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, Jr., the City Council, and the T. Colson Woody Foundation.

Known to all as Colson, Mr. Woody, a lifelong resident of Orange, dedicated much of his life to service organizations such as the YMCA, Boy Scouts of America, NAACP, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He was a mentor and benefactor to a generation of young Orange businessmen and women. His passion for guiding young people to success was reflected in his service on the Orange Board of Education.

A graduate of Virginia State College and New York University, Mr. Woody succeeded his Mother, Mary Colson Woody. as Director of the Woody Home for Funeral Services, a community resource which she had founded. Mr. Woody, following in the footsteps of his mother, provided sensitive, quality and comforting services to the bereaved of Orange and surrounding communities.

The dedication ceremony will be led by Councilwoman Donna K. Williams, sponsor of the Council Resolution honoring Mr. Woody. Other participants include Mayor Hawkins, East Ward Councilwoman Lisa Perkins, and Gregory Bryant, Vice President of the T. Colson Woody Foundation. See attached program for other participants.

A reception at Union Baptist Church, 160 Oakwood Avenue will follow the reception.

Statement by Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, Jr.
“Colson Woody holds a special place in the hearts of Orange residents. In his civic leadership on the Planning Board and the Board of Education, in the example of integrity and service he set as a business leader, in his willingness to help those in need, Colson was a truly great man, We honor him for his pioneering leadership for Orange, especially for our youth and our business community.”

Statement by Councilwoman Donna K. Wiliams
“On behalf of the City Council, I want to remember T. Colson Woody for all that he accomplished for Orange. When I was growing up, I would often hear about his good deeds. He was a role model. He embodied passion for the community. And I and many other young people grew up wanting to be like him.”

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HONORARIUM STREET RENAMING
OF
WILSON PLACE
TO
T. COLSON WOODY PLAZA

 

Intro of Master of Ceremonies                                 Donna K. Williams,
                                                                                    Councilwoman at-Large

Introduction                                                                Gregory Bryant, VP,
                                                                                    Thomas Colson Woody Foundation

Welcome                                                                     Hon. Lisa Perkins, Eastward                                                                                       Councilwoman
Acknowledgement of Dignitaries

Thoughts on Occasion                                               Hon. Eldridge Hawkins, Mayor

Reflections                                                                  Staff/Family

Song                                                                            Eunice Porter

Spoken Word                                                              Walter Anthony Smith, TCW Member

Reflections                                                                  Staff/Family

Bio of Mr. Thomas Colson Woody                            Walter Boyett, TCW Member

Presentation of Sign                                                    Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, Mayor

Closing Remarks                                                         Councilwoman Donna K. Williams

 

Reception to follow immediately at Union Baptist Church, 160 Oakwood Avenue, Orange, NJ 07050