Brooklyn's First Black State Senator William Thompson Dies At 94

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK -- William Thompson Sr., Brooklyn's first African state Senator who went on to become a state Supreme Court justice, died at the age of 94.

Not only did Thompson serve as a judge, City Councilman and state Senator during his five decade-career as a New York Democratic politician, he also swore into office his son, former City Comptroller Bill Thompson Jr., in 2002.

"William C. Thompson Sr. stood up against racism and injustice in our city for decades," Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted Monday night.

"We send our deepest condolences to his son Bill, his daughter Gail and all his family and loved ones."

(Keep up with NYC events and news by subscribing to the Ditmas Park-Flatbush Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

Thompson served in the New York state Senate from 1965 to 1968 and in the City Council from 1969 until 1973, when elected to become a New York State Supreme Court Justice.

The Harlem native, a graduate of Brooklyn College and Brooklyn Law School, also served in World World II as a member of the Buffalo Soldiers, according to Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.

Adams praised Thompson for his work to advance child care, combat breast cancer, and mentor law students, but also noted he was "great guy to share a beer with."

"Justice Thompson broke barriers as our borough’s first Black state senator, and continued to break barriers as he ascended the ranks of our judicial system," Adams said.

"Our One Brooklyn family will collectively carry Justice Thompson’s torch in the struggle for justice going forward."

Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams/Twitter