Kevin Lamont Gaskin

For live stream please click here 

On September 12, 1958, Kevin Lamont Gaskin known as Pepe to his family and close friends, was born to John and Evelyn Gaskin at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn NY.

Kevin was educated in the New York City Public School System in Brooklyn. He attended PS.197, IS.33, and Sheepshead Bay High School. Kevin was a chubby little boy, at the age of 12 he was inspired and coached by his father to play football. Kevin had love and passion for this sport. Kevin was inspirational and assisted with coaching young boys with baseball. Kevin enjoyed singing and expressed his gift of singing by joining the choir at his grandmother’s church, West Baptist, in Brooklyn NY.

In 1982 Kevin followed in his father’s footsteps and he joined King David Lodge #1 under The Sons of Haiti Grand Lodge of New York where he was elevated to the 33°. He was the Worshipful Master of Joppa Lodge #3 of the State of New York. After a leave of absence from the Masonic Fraternity, he was reaffiliated in Sons of Joseph Lodge #357 chartered by Mount Ephraim Grand Lodge of the State of New York.

In February 1995 Kevin met Debora Blanford at a friend’s house, and it wasn’t love at first sight. Kevin was persistent and in 1998 they relocated to Staten Island NY. On December 28, 2003 Kevin and Debora were married. Kevin had various jobs and decided it was time to continue his education and obtained his GED. Kevin had a passion to help adolescents and volunteered his time as an adolescent anger management counselor at Camelot Adolescent Residential. Kevin’s passion to help children would lead him to his next journey. He became part of The Next Level Men’s Group. The group’s main objection was to work with disadvantage children of all ages. Kevin understood the addiction of Substance Use Disorder and later obtained CASAC-t certification. Kevin worked as a substance abuse counselor, at Camelot Adolescent Residential Program, Daytop Village and Community Health Action.

To some Kevin was quiet, to some Kevin was cool, and to others Kevin was talkative. To his wife Debora, he was a Teddy Bear. Kevin had a way of making you laugh when he tried to tell a funny joke.

One of Kevin’s proudest moments was when he realized that he needed to change his way of living. The first step he took was to join Narcotic Anonymous (NA). Through this fellowship he found encouragement, developed friendship, and a place to belong.

On August 26, 2020 Kevin’s life changed. He had a stroke that impacted his ability to walk. Kevin was determined and endeavored over many obstacles. On December 8, 2021, God decided it was time to take Kevin home.

Preceding him in his death, Brother: John Jr, Sister: Denise Eason, Mother: Evelyn Gaskin, father: John Wesley Gaskin Sr., and his former wife, Colleen. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Debora Gaskin, sister, Lorraine Gaskin, son, Kevin Lamont Gaskin Jr, daughter, Charlotte Nicole Carmichael-Hicks , son-law James Hicks,  father-in law ,Paul Blanford, brothers Wesley and Eric, sisters, Neicie, Pamela, Angela, Tonya, Denise and Patricia, four step children, Natasha Ebanks, Tyshaun Davis, Tanequa Davis, and Naquan Davis, seven grandchildren, Jalen Kevin Lamont Gaskin,  Keaja Carleen Gaskin, Brandon Gaskin, Kevin Lamont Gaskin 3rd, Kaanan Ruffin, Matthew Ruffin, Xavier Lamont Luctamar, 8 step grandchildren,  Aniya Thema Ebanks, Layla Jayde Arabelle Ebanks, Jeremiah Blake Quincy Ebanks, Tristan Jeremiah Davis, Noah Keanu Davis, Ariyah Lisette Davis, Quincy Hicks, James Hicks Jr.,4 aunts, Justine Gaskin-Gordon, Barbara Barnes, Joann Gordon and Xenia Berry , 1 childhood friend Purcell Porter, and a host of relatives and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kevin Lamont Gaskin, please visit our floral store.