Tyrone Thomas Pannell Sr

Tyrone Thomas Pannell Sr. was born in Amityville, NY on April 2, 1942 to the late William (Beb) and Geraldine (Deanie) Pannell. He was the fourth oldest of thirteen children: Ronnie, Billy, Lenny (decd.), Eddie, Elsie (decd.), Bradly (decd.), Elizabeth (decd.), Rene, Sandra, Stanley, Wayne, and Tracey.

Tyrone grew up in Deer Park, Long Island. He went to Deer Park High School and worked as a mason for his father’s business, Beb Pannell & Sons. He married Linda and had a beautiful daughter, Barbara. When Tyrone and Linda respectfully parted ways, Ronnie and his girlfriend Ida introduced Tyrone to the love of his life, Emily Buchanan. It was love at first sight. Tyrone proposed to Emily after three short months of dating. The couple married on August 17, 1974 and lived in West Babylon. Tyrone happily took on the role of dad to Emily’s two sons Richard and Ronald. Soon after they had two more sons, Tyrone Jr. and TJ. They purchased their family home and moved to 22 Marie Lane in Central Islip.

Tyrone and Emily were married for 45 blissful years. A card he gave her summed up his immense love for her, “your love is like air and, in you I breathe.”

Tyrone worked for the South Country Central School District in Bellport for eighteen years as a custodian. He loved reading and helping others. He had a passion for cars and kept his car meticulously clean. He never went to the car wash because as he would say, “they never do a good job.”
Tyrone enjoyed taking long walks. Every morning he walked two miles to the 7-11 to play lotto. He was an avid football fan and his favorite team was the Jets. On a weekly basis he discussed the game with his best friend Ed. He loved listening to music and loved Motown as well as all the soul music of the 60’s and 70’s.
Tyrone spent his life tirelessly giving of himself and his time. Whether he was taking Emily shopping or visiting family and friends, he was always doing for others. Every Sunday, like clockwork, he visited his siblings and during the week he visited family and friends who were in nursing homes. He LOVED everybody and enjoyed nothing more than being with his family. During backyard barbecues and family dinners, he was always first to arrive and the last one to leave. He looked forward to having deep meaningful conversations with his grandson Damian. He was so happy when his granddaughter Nidra moved back to Long Island. In typical fashion, he was the first to arrive at her housewarming party! He never missed his grandson’s (Ron Jr, Traven, Marquis and Tyshon) football or basketball games or his granddaughter’s (Talia) gymnastic competitions. Recently, Tyrone had the pleasure of witnessing his grandson Tyshon star in a basketball championship and was ecstatic that he received a scholarship to Caldwell College for this coming fall.

Tyrone and Emily played an active role in helping their children raise their grandchildren, Rebecca (decd.), Talia, Marquis, Nidra, Damian, Ronald Jr, Tyshon, Davon, Traven, & Tavian.
Tyrone is survived by his wife Emily, his children Richard, Ronald, Kenya (daughter-in-law), Barbara, Tyrone Jr, Joanna (daughter-in-law), and T.J., the above grandchildren, his great-grandchildren, Ezekial, Joshua, and Geon, eight siblings, and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. He will be greatly missed by all, but we can look forward to the time when we see him again.

For we are promised at John 5:28, 29 that “the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out” and Revelation 21:4: “and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” What a wonderful hope and promise!