Obituaries

Jerry Pinkney

Obituary Reports the death of an individual, providing an account of the person’s life including their achievements, any controversies in which they were involved, and reminiscences by people who knew them.

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Jerry Pinkney, a well-known children’s book illustrator and author and a resident of Croton-on-Hudson, died Oct. 20 of a heart attack. He was 81.

He was born Dec. 22, 1939, in Philadelphia. He is survived by his wife, Gloria Jean Pinkney, an author and ordained minister, four children (two of whom are book illustrators) and six grandchildren.

Pinkney illustrated more than 100 books since 1964, including picture booksnonfiction titles and novels. His works addressed diverse themes and were usually done in watercolors. He was widely honored, including winning several Coretta Scott King Awards. He illustrated notable Black Americans for the U.S. Postal Service for the first Black Heritage postage stamp series in 1977.

 Pinkney also provided illustrations for publications by the National Park Service and National Geographic, both on the history of the Underground Railroad.

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