Black History

IN MEMORIAM: Wilfred Cyprian Harvey, 88

Wilfred Cyprian Harvey’s membership in various organizations included: Charter member of Oak Center Neighborhood Association; charter member of CITIES – Black Telephone Workers; president of Oakland Better Housing; former member of the Knights of St. Peter Claver, Council #95; board member of St. Patrick’s Senior Satellite Housing Association; and San Francisco-Bay Area Chapter Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.

Published

4 years ago

February 3, 2022

Oakland Post

Wilfred Cyprian Harvey

Wilfred Cyprian Harvey was born May 29, 1933, in Washington, D.C., and passed away in Oakland on Jan. 14, 2022.

He was the second son to the union of Cecilia Beatrice Fenwick and Emory Augustus Harvey. He attended Dunbar High School.

He joined the United States Navy and served as an electronics technician during the Korean War on an aircraft carrier.

In 1955, Harvey returned to the states to marry his bride, Virginia, “Ginny” Bell Parkinson. They were blessed with a son, Patrick Wilfred Harvey, now known as Imhotep Elijah Alkebulan, and a daughter, Nancy Elizabeth Harvey.

Harvey was hired by the Pacific Bell Telephone Company and became the first African American to hold the position of Chief Equipment Manager. He also became the first Affirmative Action manager where he made his mark by helping other minorities.

Harvey and his wife often spearheaded causes to protect and preserve their Oak Center neighborhood. He was instrumental in saving the West Oakland Fire Station No. 3.

After the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, Harvey was a member of the Citizens Emergency Relief Team (CERT), which fought to reroute and align the double-decker freeway to make a pathway for the Mandela Parkway.

His membership in various organizations included: Charter member of Oak Center Neighborhood Association; charter member of CITIES – Black Telephone Workers; president of Oakland Better Housing; former member of the Knights of St. Peter Claver, Council #95; board member of St. Patrick’s Senior Satellite Housing Association; and San Francisco-Bay Area Chapter Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.

Harvey was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia, of 42 years, his parents, and older brother, Paul. He leaves to celebrate his life, his son Minister Imhotep Alkebulan and his wife, Doris; daughter, Nancy Harvey; five grandchildren, Zakiya Mackey, Shakir Mackey, Chinasa Mackey, Rahotep Alkebulan, M.D., and Kaba Alkebulan; sister, Audrey Archer; brother, Ronald Harvey; niece, Shelley Archer Barron, and her husband Trent Barron and a host of other relatives, godchildren, church family, and friends.

Will Harvey’s children have announced the following services: Rosary and Quiet Hour on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Chapel of the Chimes at 4499 Piedmont Ave; a funeral Mass on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church at 1023 Peralta St.; interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery at 5000 Piedmont Ave. all in Oakland. The repast will be at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.