Tyrone Preston Green

Tyrone Preston Green was born on February 17, 1951 to the late Robbie Green (nee' Ford) and Robert Russell Green in Harlem Hospital. In 1956, when her youngest son was born and her husband passed away, Robbie became a widowed mother to four boys. The family relocated to the Astoria projects where Tyrone and his brothers grew up. He was known for his charisma and he could talk you out of your wallet.

Tyrone was educated in the New York City Public School system and he graduated from Long Island City High School. During his high school years he met his one and only true love Migdalia “Cookie” Villafane. He went on to receive higher education in the CUNY school system, obtaining an Associates Degree and a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration.

On July 12, 1975, he married his high school sweetheart and they enjoyed thirteen years of marital bliss before his lovely wife gave birth to Ashley, their beautiful daughter, on December 21, 1988. Ashley was their everything; she was their little girl and no matter how old she got, she was always considered their princess.

Tyrone was employed in the Financial Sector at Chase Bank for twenty years, but his real passion came later in working with the community. Starting at the Police Athletic League, he mentored at risk young people and offered his services for ten years. Simultaneously, he spent over a decade at Goodwill Industries of Greater New York, and New Jersey. Along with a coaching position at La Salle High School, there was a range of community service projects that he performed during this time.

Affectionately known as Mr. Green by many of the youth who looked up to him, he mentored many of today's professional NBA athletes. Among these were Lamar Odom, Kenny Anderson, Ron Artest, Chamique Holdsclaw, and Joakim Noah. Joakim Noah was always considered his surrogate son. Tyrone begin mentoring him at thirteen years of age in 1998. He instilled a philosophy of never forgetting where you come from and the motto for this was, "Giving Back and Reaching Back For the Good of the Neighborhood." He offered Joakim another positive role model and strong encouragement throughout his collegiate studies at the University of Florida. Mr. Green was with him through thick and thin and good and bad times. Joakim was supportive when Tyrone's beloved wife, Migdalia, passed away. Mr. Green and Joakim started an organization by the name of Noah's Ark, which was his final legacy regarding his community service contributions.

Predeceased by his wife of 33 years, Tyrone leaves to cherish his memory his daughter Ashley Dana Green. Three brothers: Nathaniel Green of Flushing, NY, David Peter Green of The Bronx, NY and Robert Green of Hercules, CA. Six sisters-in-law, four brothers-in-law, fifteen nieces, seven nephews, a host of great-nieces and nephews, cousins, close friends and animals.

Reposing at the Frederick Funeral Home of Flushing on Tuesday April 22, 2014 and Wednesday April 23, 2014 from 4:00pm - 9:00pm. Funeral Mass Thursday April 24, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. Interment Mt. St. Mary's Cemetery.

In Lieu of Flowers donations can be made to the Long Island City YMCA for the Coach Tyrone Green Basketball Fund. Donations can be mailed to the Long Island City YMCA, care of Eli Linthicum, at 32-23 Queens Boulevard, Long Island City, NY 11101.

For further assistance please contact Frederick Funeral Home at 718 357-6100.