Robert Pheanious Obituary
The world lost a talented and noble man on November 19, 2022. This wonderful husband, dedicated father, stepfather, grandfather and great grandfather, died peacefully in his Ashford home, going ahead of his wife, former State Representative Pat Wilson Pheanious and a host of family, friends and fans who were educated, motivated and inspired by his work.
Robert Pheanious was born to Gus and Jo Orria Pheanious in Swainsboro, Georgia in 1947. He grew up in New Haven, Connecticut, graduated from Hill house High School and attended the University of New Haven and the University of Massachusetts. He became a LPN in 1992 and worked as a nurse in Cincinnati, Ohio, at Yale New Haven Hospital in Connecticut and with developmentally disabled people at nursing facilities in Denver, Colorado. Robert was known to his fans as “Old School”. He wrote, memorized and performed spoken word poetry for more than 25 years. He recorded, and performed his work at church gatherings, schools and civic events in Connecticut and Denver. In 2011 he was featured at the International Fathers and Families Conference in San Francisco, California.
Grieving his loss are his siblings, Bill (Bill’s wife Lucy) and Jackie Pheanious of New Haven, CT, his son Bryant Pheanious, Sr. (Thailand). Cheo Hodari Coker of Seattle, WA came into his life through marriage, (as did Cheo’s wife, Dr. Tumaini Rucker Coker). To Kamaya Harris Dunn and Christopher Harris of Cincinnati, OH, he was a life-long father figure. All our extended families, those with us and those who pre-deceased Robert, also keenly feel this loss.
Robert was blessed with the special joy of grandchildren, Bryant Pheanious, Jr. (New Haven) his great grandson, Mason Pheanious, and grandchildren Jahi Avery Coker, Jomo Joel Coker, Kaia Darnell Coker of Seattle, WA.
A Celebration of Robert’s Life, Love, and Poetry will be held on Sunday, January 15, 2023 from 2PM-4PM at the University of Connecticut Alumni Center, 2384 Alumni Drive, Storrs, CT. Snow date will be Monday, January 16, 2023 from 2PM-4PM.
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