Diaspora mourns passing of Jamaican-born community leader Rodrick Daley

The Caribbean community in Brooklyn is mourning the passing of Rodrick F. Daley, the Jamaican-born chair of Community Board 17 (CB17), who died on April 13 at the age of 54.

Community boards are local representative bodies in New York City, with CB17 among 59 established under a 1975 city charter amendment. The boards play an advisory role on land use and zoning, the city budget, municipal services, and other issues affecting community welfare.

New York City Council Member Farah N. Louis paid tribute to Daley’s decades of service, describing him as a committed leader whose influence stretched across Central Brooklyn.

“I am heartbroken by the passing of Chairman Rodrick Daley — a devoted District 45 resident, dedicated educator, gifted athlete, celebrated domino champion, and unwavering community leader, whose impact on Central Brooklyn will be felt for generations,” Louis told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) on Friday.

“Through his leadership at Community Board 17, Chairman Daley championed equitable development, uplifted community voices and never wavered in his commitment to serve with both strength and compassion,” added Louis. “Even in the face of illness, he continued to show up for his community with extraordinary grace and resilience.”

“To his beloved wife, his children and the entire CB17 family — you are in my thoughts and prayers,” she continued. “His legacy lives on in every life he touched. Rest in power, Chairman Daley. Your work, your voice and your legacy will never be forgotten.”

Fellow Council Member Mercedes Narcisse also expressed grief over Daley’s passing, recalling his deep involvement in youth development and education.

“Ruddie was a fixture in our community for decades, and his loss is felt across every neighbourhood he touched,” she said. “Ruddie spent more than 25 years in our public schools, not just teaching but building programmes that gave young people a reason to believe in themselves.”

“He created mentorship programmes, study abroad opportunities for middle schoolers and student government initiatives because he understood that education doesn’t stop at the classroom door,” Narcisse added, noting that Daley had recently discussed plans for a youth baseball tournament.

“That was who he was,” she said. “He wasn’t slowing down. He was still planning, still building, still showing up for the young people of this community. My heart goes out to his wife Garcia, their five sons and everyone who loved him. Brooklyn has lost a giant.”

New York State Assemblywoman Jaime Williams also praised Daley’s character and commitment to service.

“As chairman of Community Board 17, he demonstrated an unwavering commitment to serving his community with compassion and purpose,” she said. “I am proud to have worked closely with him on a relief effort in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa, where I witnessed firsthand his dedication to humanity and helping others.”

“He was the kind of person we all hope to be, and may he rest in peace,” Williams added.

Community advocate Anne-Rhea Smith described Daley as “a pillar of service and advocacy” whose work strengthened cultural institutions across Brooklyn.

“As chairman of Community Board 17, he worked tirelessly to support cultural institutions across Brooklyn, including mas bands, steel orchestras and Caribbean-based organisations,” she said. “He was especially instrumental in ensuring that our cultural groups had access to critical resources, such as rehearsal and practice spaces.”

Smith, who also serves on the board of the West Indian-American Day Carnival Association, said Daley helped organizations navigate city and state systems and build operational capacity.

“A proud son of Jamaica, Mr Daley brought his heritage into every space he occupied, using it as a bridge to empower and unify communities,” she added. “His legacy in education and community development will continue to resonate for years to come.”

In a statement, WIADCA extended its condolences, noting Daley’s “unwavering support of cultural organisations” and his role in strengthening New York Carnival.

Daley was a retired assistant principal with the New York City Department of Education. He began his teaching career in the mid-1990s at South Shore High School in Brooklyn and later served at Meyer Levin Intermediate School 285 and Prospect Heights High School, where he worked as a Spanish teacher and dean.

He migrated to Brooklyn in 1982 and earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Haverford College in Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in education from the College of Mount Saint Vincent.

Daley is survived by his wife, Garcia, and their five sons—Stephon, Carter, Christian, Grayson, and Cooper.

Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, May 1 at Miracle Temple Ministries, followed by a second service on May 2 at Liberty Hall Cathedral of Praise. He will be laid to rest at Canarsie Cemetery in Brooklyn.

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