Mayor Sarno Issues Statement on the Passing of Bishop Dr. Bryant Robinson, Jr.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, “I was so saddened to hear from Bishop Dr. Bryant Robinson, Jr.’s son Trey this evening that his dad had passed. My sympathy, thoughts, prayers, and encouragement go out to his steadfast wife Margaree, son’s Trey and Todd, daughter Renee, and family and friends. Bishop Robinson, always the gentleman and community bridge builder, was a well-respected leader in our Springfield. From his educational talents as Principal of DeBerry School (of which my brother Alfonso ‘Fonzie’ attend in the 1970’s), to Assistant Superintendent of Schools, and first ever Black Acting-Superintendent in the City’s history. He continued his motivational and spiritual leadership as the Bishop of Macedonia Church of God in Christ. Very early on in my mayoral days he was so instrumental as we worked together with local, state, and federal public safety officials in dealing with the ruthless arson hate-crime of his Macedonia Church days after President Obama was elected. His cool, calm, and heartfelt strong public presence and words to our Springfield and beyond kept our city from becoming ‘a powder keg’. Our families go way back, my dad Al ‘the Barber’ went to school with his brother Andrew at the old Buckingham Jr. High School. ‘By the way, Bishop was a pretty good hoop player – that’s where Trey and Todd got their talents too!’ Rest in peace my friend, for a life well lived in the name of empowering many others towards a better life.”