Geoffrey Eric Eaton

Geoffrey Eric Eaton (Geoff) was born September 10, 1958 at Women’s Hospital in New York, the oldest son of Dolores and Donald Eaton, Jr. Geoff, his brother Donald Eaton Il and sister Allyson lived in the Colonial Park Houses (now known as Ralph J. Rangel Houses). The Eaton family was well known in Harlem and beyond. Geoff attended St. Sergius Russian Orthodox Elementary School and then attended Power Memorial High School. After graduating from Power Memorial He then attended and graduated from Pace University. Geoff and his brother Donald made history as the first African-American union members to work on the deck of the New York City Circle Line Sightseeing Yacht, in the positions of Quartermaster and First Mates.

Raised into a career of public service by his mother and father, Geoff was fortunate to follow the leadership of his role model and senior advisor, Hon. Hazel N. Dukes, President of the NAACP New York Conference and member of the Executive Committee of NAACP National Board of Directors, under the direction of D.r Dukes, in 2011, Geoff went on to serve as first Vice President of NAACP New York State Conference, and president of the NAACP Mid-Manhattan Branch where he played a critical role in advancing the interests and the mission of the NAACP. He embodied the spirit of the NAACP and knew what it meant to both serve and lead.

More recently, Geoff served as Director of Community Affairs & Diversity for Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine. As Director, Geoff supported Touro’s mission and goal of vastly improving the health of Harlem’s residents, by fostering more community and student engagement participation; and increasing the enrollment of underrepresented minorities into TouroCom’s MedAchieve, Master’s in Biological Science Program, Medical School and School of Pharmacy. Amongst his greatest historical achievements, Geoff was blessed to have served as Chief of Staff to legendary United States Congressman, The Honorable Charles B. Rangel.

In that capacity, he oversaw the day-to-day management of the Washington, D.C. and New York offices and was Rangel’s designee to a number of important boards, including the New York Empowerment Zone, Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, Harlem Community Development Corporation, and West Harlem Development Corporation. Geoff served with several key civic, cultural, and community organizations, including Harlem Arts Alliance and The City College of New York (CCNY) President’s Executive Board, to name a few. He was also an active lifelong member of Blackfrica Promotions (an international arts, culture and educational organization), and was a senior advisor to the board of HARLEM WEEK, Inc. where he worked closely with his godfather, Lloyd Williams. Geoff was blessed to work closely with Hon. Percey E. Sutton, Hon. Basil A. Paterson, Hon. David Paterson, Hon. David Dinkins, Hon. Keith L. T. Wright, Hon. Inez E. Dickens, Hon. Mark Green, Voza Rivers, Jackie Rowe-Adams, Philip Reed, and The Last Poets to name a few.

In recognition of his exemplary record of service, following the recommendation of Dr. Dukes, Geoff received a number of unprecedented NAACP National and State Conference awards, including the first-ever “Medgar Wiley Evers NAACP New York State Medal of Freedom Award” and many other community service honors. Geoff was preceded in death by his parents Dolores and Donald Eaton Jr. He leaves to mourn his beloved wife Cheryl and sons Geoffrey Eric Eaton Jr and Geoffrey Eric Shonosuke Eaton Il, his beloved brother and best friend Donald “BaBa Don” and sister Allyson. Geoff’s remarkable life is mourned by a host of cousins, friends and colleagues who loved him dearly. Sunsets always bring the night and new lights arrive with the stars. With this comes new beginnings and we know that Geoff is one of the newest and brightest stars.