Anthony Lumpkin, 59 of New Haven passed away peacefully on May 24, 2016 surrounded by his family and friends after a heroic battle with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Fondly known as Tony, his crowning achievement was being considered the championship “Shortstop” for his family. Tony held a well-balanced combination of skills hard to achieve. When family situations arose, he was agile and he possessed a strong arm and great range in providing social and emotional support. He was always levelheaded and gently and firmly offered fruitful advice. He provided absolute love, and insisted upon living a well-balanced life that included fun and relaxation. Tony always expressed that he was blessed with his immediate family, wife Gemma Joseph Lumpkin and children, Jason Anthony Lumpkin (Vanessa) and Alia Juette Lumpkin. He had a unique, special, deep love and affection for his “grand duchesses” Jayla and Janelle Lumpkin.
Tony was known as a “nice” guy. His life was filled with beauty and lush texture. Always optimistic he believed that there is power in faith, forgiveness and in helping others. Prior to his illness he passionately volunteered in the soup kitchen at Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church and he dedicated time to visiting and supporting the elderly. He also served as a Deacon in the Church.
A music aficionado, Tony’s favorite pastime was collecting, listening to and sharing great music with his friends and family. In recent years he took pride in diligently converting his entire music collection to vinyl that included works of his favorite artists such as the Persuasions, Duke Ellington, Funkadelics, Sade, Coltrane, Jay‑Z and especially Bill Withers, whose song “Lovely Day” he played often to inspire, entertain and amuse Gemma.
Tony was also an avid reader and he especially enjoyed science fiction. His favorite books were the novels in the Dune series.
Anthony and Gemma Joseph Lumpkin.
His favorite place in the world was the southern Caribbean island of Tobago, the smaller of the twin island country Trinidad and Tobago, which he discovered 23 years ago while on honeymoon. He appreciated and embraced the tiny island’s unspoiled beauty and seclusion, its people, the multi-national culture and its bio-diversity; and he relished inviting and entertaining family and close friends there.
Born in New Haven, to the now deceased Isabel Hundley Lumpkin, who he cherished, Tony attended New Haven Public Schools and the University of Connecticut, where he majored in computer engineering. He retired early from the telecommunications company S.N.E.T and served as a computer technical consultant until his illness. He felt blessed to be adopted, loved and raised by the deceased Lewis and Iola Dirton, who had a lasting positive impact on his life.
In addition to his immediate family he leaves his beloved sisters, Judy Lowery and Robin Lumpkin of New Haven, Diane Thomas of Wethersfield and his adopted brother, Eugene Dirton of Woodbridge. He was also thrilled in his adult life to discover and enthusiastically reunite with other siblings including a sister Karen “Tootsie” Dawson and a brother, Mark Atkins. In addition, he leaves two adoring Godchildren Quin and Victoriyah MacArthur. He also leaves, a brother-in-law, J. Stephen Joseph (Martina) and a sister-in-law, June Joseph. He was pre-deceased by a brother-in-law Maxi Lowery and a nephew Mitch Dirton. He will also be missed by a host of nieces and nephews especially, J. Stephen Joseph, Jr., Erica Bryan, Alisha Lowery Childs Shaquanna Lowery, Aminah Stephens, Kim Thomas, Toni Thomas and many others whom he had individualized and special relationships.
A Memorial Celebration in his honor will be held on Wednesday, June 1, 5pm at Immanuel Baptist Church 1324 Chapel Street New Haven, Connecticut. Internment is private.
very surprised and saddened to read this. Tony was always well-spoken, thoughtful, and kind. a real gentleman.