Israel Sidney Jr departed this life on at the age of 83 years. He was born on January 17, 1942 in New Orleans Louisiana to Rebecca Hall Sidney and Israel Sidney Sr. who both preceded him in death. He has one brother, Ralph Gary Sidney (Pamela). He was educated in New Orleans public schools and graduated from Booker T Washington High School in 1960. He initially attended Southern University in New Orleans and then went to Southern University in Baton Rouge where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. While in school he worked at Metairie Small Animal Hospital. After graduation he was employed at the New Orleans Youth Study Center working with youth who were charged with committing delinquent offenses. It was here that he met a number of people who would become dear long lasting friends for life. His employment there with the city of New Orleans lasted until the agency was taken over by the state. He served many years as a probation officer and then moved up the ranks as a supervisor and ultimately District Manager for the State Probation and Parole Office where he retired in 1999 after 20 years of service with the State. At his retirement Mayor Marc Morial proclaimed August 13, 1999 as “Israel Sidney Jr. Day” in New Orleans.

After retirement his favorite thing to do was work in the yard which he did almost daily. He loved growing plants, flowers, fruit trees, vegetables etc. He loved when the weather was good and he could be outside. He cut his grass and maintained his own yard until his passing.

Something else he enjoyed very much was music. He loved just about all kinds of music but most especially jazz. On any given day he would be in the house playing music or outside working with music playing in his ears. He always said music lifted him made him feel good. He had quite a collection of all kinds.

In his youth he was very socially active. He was a member of CORE, the Congress for Racial Equality. In November 2011 he was honored to ride in the Bayou Classic parade with other CORE members in celebration of CORE’s 50th anniversary. In the 1960’s he participated in sit ins and demonstrations at lunch counters to obtain equal rights for his people. His stories of going to jail and being beaten became entertaining sometimes the way he would tell them but always very real.

Israel was first married to Louella Sidney and they had one son, Errol Sidney Sr. (Rhonda) He also has one daughter, Kyra Erica Williams. He has three grandchildren, Errol Sidney Jr (Leslie), Randon Sidney (Jasmine) and Angel Sidney. He has 5 great grandchildren.

His second marriage was to Joyce H Sidney on September 3, 1983. They were married for 41 years until his death. With this union he gained four “honorary” grandchildren Bret Alexander, Taylor Brown, Terry B Brown and Kameron Lewis who loved their Paw Paw as much as he loved them.

Israel was an outgoing friendly person who loved talking to people and made friends very easily. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to whomever he could.

He is survived by a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a Memorial Service on Saturday February 15 at 10 am at Rhodes Funeral Home at 3933 Washington Ave. Visitation at 9am

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