An employee of Republic Airport in Farmingdale, Joshua was a hard worker who made time to always spend his time off with family. My Grandmother Blanche always talked about how he and their mother would play with them in the house and during warm days take them to the park and the beach. It was clearly evident how much he was loved by the way his family spoke of him. His hard work paid off in 1955-1956 when he was able to save enough money to buy his family their dream home in Huntington Station, NY. More than 60 years later some of his family continues to reside in that home and carry out the legacy he started so many years ago. Unfortunately, he passed away before getting the opportunity to live in his new home with his family. But the lasting memory of who he is lives on in the spirit of his children, his grandchildren and his great grandchildren and beyond.
Today as I’m typing this in the home he purchased, I feel honored and blessed to know I come from such a caring, giving, loving and strong ancestral line. I honor Joshua “Fats” Wideman for Black History Month and I thank him for the family and the legacy that I get to cherish day in and day out.