Bravell Morgan Nesbitt Jr. died peacefully on May 14 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was 88.

He was born on Sept. 15, 1932 in Elizabeth, N.J., to Carrie Allen Nesbitt and Bravell Nesbitt Sr. He was the oldest of four siblings: the late Carolyn Nesbitt, Allen Nesbitt, and Kim Nesbitt Good.

He graduated from Lincoln University in 1954 and earned a mortuary science degree in 1956 from the American Academy of Funeral Services. After graduating, he served in the U.S. Army in a Nike Missile Battalion.

Affectionately known as Bucky, he worked in social work, education, coaching and real estate. He was a seaplane pilot, Red Cross lifeguard and held a U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary license. He was one of the first African Americans on the National Ski Patrol.

A third generation funeral director and the owner/manager of Nesbitt Funeral Home in Englewood, N.J., he retired in 2011.

He belonged to several organizations, including The Urban League, NAACP, Rotary Club, Lions Clubs, Prince Hall Masons, The Shriners, Order of the Eastern Star, The American Legion, Shiloh Lodge #53, 369th Veterans, Tuskegee Auxiliary Airmen, Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association, Ideal Lodge #470, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He was a member of Siloam Presbyterian Church and Community Baptist Church.

He is survived by his children Ivory and Morgan; his grandchildren Eden and Anthony; and a host of relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held May 23 in Englewood, N.J. Interment was at Rosehill Cemetery in Linden, N.J.