Robert L. Hylton Sr.

During these very trying times we at Donohue Cecere Funeral Home want to assure you that we have taken every precaution to provide a safe environment for you and your loved ones. Our location is cleaned and sanitized daily and we continue to follow best practices for social distancing and safety.
In accordance with Executive Order 202.17 (which requires any individual over age two, and able to medically tolerate a face-covering, be required to cover their nose and mouth with a mask or cloth face-covering when in a public place) we are required to follow this mandate or risk being shut down; therefore, all individuals entering our funeral home will be asked to wear a face mask or cloth face covering.
As of the latest update we are able to offer limited visitation periods in the funeral home for family and friends up to 35 people per session. Please be mindful when visiting during these sessions to limit the amount of time spent at the funeral home. This will give the opportunity for other family and friends to visit.

Robert Lawrence Hylton, Sr., 90, of Westbury, LI, NY, passed away on March 9, 2021, after complications from sustaining a head injury from a fall. He was born on February 7, 1931, to Gladys Mae Sanders and Robert Otis Hylton in Roanoke, VA. After graduating from Addison High School in Roanoke, he enlisted in the Army and received an honorable discharge. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, in June of 1954. He proudly obtained his Masters of Science degree in Clinical Psychology and a Ph.D. in Professional Child Psychology from St. John’s University in the spring of 1979. He was honored to be the first African American person to accomplish this. He did post-graduate studies at William Allison White Institute for Psychotherapy. These accomplishments earned him a nickname, “Dr. Bob” and an extensive relationship advocating education to his community. In 1955, he met and married Irene Elizabeth “Betty” Goins. They had three children, Ramona, Denise, and Robert, Jr. The devoted husband and father moved his family from Queens, New York to Westbury, Long Island where they settled into the Wesbury community.

Dr. Bob worked at the New York City Board of Education, first as an Attendance Teacher and then as a School Psychologist. After 32 years, he retired from the NYC Board of Education. He served as Director of Counseling & Career Planning at the State University of New York at Old Westbury. He also worked as a Consultant Psychologist for Parents-In-Action, Nassau County Drug & Alcohol Department, South Jamaica Center, and Abundant Life Agency. He maintained a private practice as a psychotherapist for many years. Dr. Bob was devoted to community service and participated in many service organizations. He was very active in several youth programs and served as a board member of the North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center. He served as the Board Chairman of A-1 Universal Care, Inc. in Westbury, NY, for several years. He was a very active member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. for over 69 years. He was also very active with his alumni association, Central State University Alumni Club, and was elected to the university’s Achievement Hall Fame.  Dr. Bob received many honors. He received President Obama’s Volunteer Service Award with his wife in 2011. He received a Certificate of Merit from the Office of Nassau County Executive Thomas Gulotta and a Citation from the Village of North Hempstead. He has been honored by North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, the NAACP, the Central State University Alumni Club, and received numerous awards from his fraternity. Dr. Bob was an avid race-walker and bowler, collecting a room full of trophies from these activities. He participated in senior track & field activities for 28 years during which time he was a New York State and a national race walking champion. He was also very active with a local bowling league until quarantine. Dr. Bob loved studying astronomy and watching the stars with his telescope. He was very interested in genealogy and spearheaded the creation of an extensive family tree for the Hylton-Joyce family. He served on the board of AAGS Genealogy and the Genealogy Federation. Robert L. Hylton, Sr. is predeceased by his mother, his father, and his beloved nephew, Ruben Hughes. He is survived by his wife, Irene “Betty”, sister Elva, his children Ramona, Denise, and Robert Jr., and daughter-in-law, Nekia. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Nia, Akojaiye, and Celeste, and great-grandchild, Jordyn, and many friends and fraternity brothers.

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