Frederick Douglas, Jr.

Frederick Richard Allen Douglas Jr. was born to parents Mary Albritton Douglas and Frederick R. A. Douglas Sr. on June 1, 1961 at Lincoln Hospital, in Bronx, NY.  He was christened on October 8, 1961 and baptized in May of 1968 at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church.

Frederick Jr. attended the exclusive Cathedral Preparatory Seminary High School. During these years he was an active participant with the student council.  As an upperclassman, he became the first African American student government President in the school’s history.  He was a four-year member of the drama club and active in various intramural sports.  In his senior year, he served as the manager of the men’s varsity basketball team.   Frederick Jr. was the recipient of the school’s “Booster” award and was voted by his classmates to give the valedictorian farewell address at his 1979 graduation.

In August 1979, Frederick Jr. left for New Orleans, Louisiana to begin his college career at Dillard University.   During his sophomore year, he crossed the burning sands and became a member of the Beta Phi chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated.   During his college days, Frederick Jr. held office as the chapter’s secretary and two terms as the Dean of Pledges.   For three summers while in college, he worked for NYC Housing Authority as a seasonal aide.  His supervisor worked him extremely hard in hopes to influence him to stay in school and be in a position to avoid work that is physically demanding.  His supervisor was his father.

In May 1984, Frederick Jr. graduated from Dillard University with a BA degree in Mass Communications with a minor in English.  His time in New Orleans was very special and he considered the “Big Easy” his second home.  After graduating, Frederick Jr. remained in New Orleans seeking employment.  The search for employment was difficult so he took various jobs to pay his bills.  In February 1986, he was hired as a sports reporter for a Louisiana weekly newspaper.    

Frederick Jr. eventually returned to NYC to seek gainful employment in 1986.  After returning home he held various jobs until he found his calling working with youth.   He secured a position at the Southeast Bronx Neighborhood Center (Forest House Neighborhood Center) as a counselor for out of school youth.  

In 1991, he was promoted to Program Director.  He made significant contributions in the lives of many youth he came in contact with and he supported other positive efforts to improve the quality of life for others in the community.  Frederick Jr. continued working in this capacity through August in 1998 when the program funding ended.   He continued working with youth through the NYC Department of Juvenile Justice.   Due to health reasons, he later had to resign the position. 

To keep himself busy, Frederick Jr. took computer classes, coached youth basketball teams, and assisted college bound youth to apply and obtain college scholarships.  He also became a part of a group of neighbors called “The Committee” that sponsored activities and bus outings for the community. 

Frederick spent his later years in Rockland County, NY. He was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017. He had surgery and received various cancer treatments for an extended time period.  After numerous treatments, the cancer was put in remission.  A combination of the medication, side effects along with pre-existing conditions took their toll on his body. Frederick Jr’s. earthly pain ended on Friday, January 29, 2021. 

Frederick Jr. is preceded in death by his father, Frederick R.A. Douglas, Sr. in 1984. 

Those left behind to mourn are his mother, Mary Albritton Douglas Bronx, NY; sister Frederica D’Lasandra Ophelia Douglas-Walker  Green Bay, WI; niece, Tanika Jackson  (Tim Jackson) Albany GA;  nephew, Quintin Douglas Burnett  (Aja Tibet Burnett) ; great nephew, Syare Tilas-Kamal; great niece Empress Quja-Nuha  Albany GA; niece, Breonna Simone Douglas Burnett Green Bay, WI along with a host of friends and fraternity brothers he considered family.

 May he rest in paradise….

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