In Memoriam: Darius L. Vinson, Community Activist and Role Model

 Aspiring Pro-Boxer/Lawyer Dies in Swimming Accident

Darius Lord Vinson, the only son of Denise L. Greig and Damon L. Vinson, was born on October 1, 1988 in Forest Hills, New York. He passed away on August 19, 2015, at the age of 26.

From a young age, Darius showed potential for a life full of achievement and success. He attended P.S 105, where many of his teachers took notice of and praised his intellect. He then attended P.S/M.S. 43, where he served as editor of the school newspaper. He was the focus of a full editorial in The Wave newspaper, based in Rockaway, New York, in recognition of his community service.

A Great Kid Named Darius

http://www.rockawave.com/news/2002-12-21/Columnists/From_The_G-man1221.html

He also received the Governor George Pataki Committee on Scholastic Achievement Award and the New York City Council Speaker’s Gifford Miller Achievement Award.

He was the recipient of two New York State Assembly Citizenship awards granted by New York State Assemblywoman Michele Titus and former Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer. Other honors included the Rockaway Rotary Club Award and The School and Community Working Together Award. He was also the recipient of the Rosemary Marchong Memorial Scholarship and winner of the Fun District 27’s Science and Social Studies Exit Project Fair Award.

During his tenure at George Westinghouse Information Technology High School, he received his Regents Diploma with Advanced Placement Honors and obtained his certification in AutoCAD Architectural Design. He was a member of the George Westinghouse Varsity Indoor/Outdoor Track Team and was involved with several civic programs: the Anti-Bullying Committee, iMentor, Quality Steering Committee, and the George Westinghouse Philanthropic Association. He was the only student to be nominated to the Westinghouse Leadership Team four years in a row.

In his senior year of high school, he developed a profound love for boxing and dedicated his life to the sport. One of his greatest achievements was becoming the first amateur fighter from Irish Ropes Golden Gloves, which lead to a victory in 2006.

  

Darius attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice and obtained two Bachelors’ degrees. He received his first Bachelors of Science in Police Studies in 2012 and obtained a second Bachelors of Arts in 2015 for Law and Society with certification in Dispute Resolution.

While attending John Jay, he was a USA Certified Athlete in the John Jay Boxing Program and USA Boxing Commission. He was the recipient of the Kenneth C. Hall Jr. Memorial Foundation Scholarship Fund. He completed his peer-reviewed thesis on Institutional Discrimination in Education. He assisted with the Annual Kay Pranis Restorative Justice Special Presentation. He was accepted into the Pre-Law Institute and was a Pre-Law Boot Camp Graduate. While there, he was awarded “Best Speaker” in the debates.

Darius devoted a great deal of his time as a volunteer by serving as a tutor for the John Jay writing workshops. He also volunteered at God’s Battalion Loving Care Center, where he helped with City Harvest. He was the co-founder of the Rockaway Ropes Boxing Facility, where he wrote grants to provide a safe home for at-risk youth in Rockaway. He also volunteered at the Parsons Beacon Junior High After-School Program. Most recently, he was a Peacemaker with the Red Hook Community Justice Center, where he served as a role model and mentor to at-risk youth.

Darius had specific goals that he wanted to achieve and he was determined and persistent in accomplishing them: becoming a criminal defense lawyer and a professional boxer. He faced many challenges in his life, which delayed efforts to achieve his objectives. The obstacles were due, for the most part, to failures within the educational and legal system, but he never lost sight of his dreams. He was a determined man who strived to reach all of his goals regardless of his circumstances. In doing so, he touched the hearts of many people that gave him the confidence to follow his amazing journey in life. Despite his constant hard work to achieve his goals, he also took part in many leisure activities such as skateboarding, surfing, writing and swimming.

Darius always loved spending time with his friends and family, whom he held very close to his heart. His charming, outgoing and friendly personality always made people smile. He had a special gift for motivating others to do the right thing and served as a role model to all. His kind heart made sure everyone around him was always happy. He consistently went out of his way to make others feel included. Most importantly he gave advice to all and always saw the best in people and pushed them to reach their full potential. Darius always wanted to keep his family together as one unit and reached above and beyond to build strong connections with them. He had a big heart and never let anyone go unrecognized. He will truly be missed in every aspect of his loved ones lives.

Preceding Darius in death are his grandfathers Cleveland Vinson and Benjamin Greig.Darius; leaves to morn and cherish his memory his mother Denise Greig and his father Damon L.Vinson, girlfriend Raveenga Perera, Grandmothers -Jacqueline Vinson and Lorna Greig, Great-grandmothers- Mamie Curry, Clarissa Waiters, Uncles – Anthony Vinson, Che Vinson and Gregory Greig, Aunts- Sharon, Angela and Dawn, Great-Aunts – Charlene Green, RosettaMorris, Betty Ann Fludd, Yvonne Jackson and Venita Simmons, God Brother- Aaron Rivera and a host of cousins, nephews and nieces, other loving family members and friends.

  Darius Vinson and longtime girlfriend Raveenga Perera

Committal took place at The Greenwood Crematory, on August 27, which is located at 500 25^th Street in Brooklyn, New York. 

I love you, Darius, and I’ll miss you. Rest in peace, young warrior. 

                                                                                                    "The G-Man"