Samuel Michael Richardson

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Samuel Michael Richardson, better known as “Father God Sharief”, was born on April 8, 1966 at Staten Island Hospital in New Brighton to the late Sarah “Baby Doll” Richardson of Thomasville, Georgia and Harold Cobbs Sr. of North Carolina.

A lifelong Staten Island resident, Samuel’s early years included attendance of William T. Davis P.S. 31 School, William A. Morris I.S 61 School and Curtis High School in New Brighton.  He later received training and certification in buildings and construction and HVAC systems repair. Over the years he worked construction for several employers and later worked as security guard.  He took pride in letting family and friends know that he worked at the World Trade Center’s then Twin Towers.

Samuel was a loving and social family man with a great sense of humor who was well respected among his peers.   As a member of the Nation of Gods and Earths, friends and family in the neighborhood knew him as a protector and a teacher that they often sought for advice on many of life’s different experiences. He enjoyed playing basketball and watching sporting events and he was a loyal fan of all the NY sports teams.  Samuel also enjoyed watching Kung Fu and horror movies and playing video games.  Simply put - he loved to live life.

His sister Shirley describes some of their most memorable times spent together were the Sunday dinners prepared by their mom who was infamous for a making satisfying and buttery cornbread.    Ms. Sarah, affectionately known in the neighborhood as “FaFa”, a devout Christian, made sure Samuel, Shirley and Rendell enjoyed Sunday dinner together every week after church service.  The siblings also enjoyed time spent time with their mother during the week when she would talk to them about her day.

Samuel Michael “Sharief” Richardson departed this life on Friday February 19, 2021 the same day his departed and dearly loved nephew Ricardo Bell’s birthday.  Those who remain to cherish and celebrate his life are his loving and faithful life partner Ronnita Tolbert, his sisters Shirley “Mother Earth” Richardson and Patricia Boyd, his brothers Richard Richardson and Harold “Majestic” Cobbs Jr., his daughter Shanieta Blake, his son Sharief Kah’Dib Richardson, his nephew Jermain McDonald and his cousin Julia Mae Ingram.  In 2018 Samuel was preceded in death by his beloved mother Sarah Richardson and brother Rendell “Raking” Richardson.  He also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and brothers and sisters in life.

The family would like to sincerely thank everyone for the tremendous amount of support they’ve received from family and friends demonstrated through kind words, prayers, contributions, encouragement, and expressions of love.