Alvin W. Penn

PENN State Senator Alvin W. Penn, age 54, of Bridgeport, was called from labor to reward Friday, February 14, 2003, at the Connecticut Hospice in Branford. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, raised in Boston, Mass., he had been a resident of Bridgeport for the past 25 years. Alvin had just been re-elected to serve his sixth term in the State Senate. He served as Chairman of the Public Safety Committee and General Bonding Subcommittee, Vice Chairman of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding, and Transportation Bonding Subcommittees and member of the Commerce and Legislative Management Committee. Senator Penn was a former Alderman of Bridgeport and served on numerous civic and community boards. He was the current director of Affirmative Action/Contract Compliance for the City of Bridgeport. Alvin distinguished himself among his colleagues as he rose to the position of Deputy President Pro Tempore of the Senate. His father, Henry and sister, Deryial predeceased him. Survivors include his beloved companion of 20 years, Adria Coleman of Bridgeport; four sons, Antoine and Milton of Bridgeport, Marcel of Norwalk and Alvin Jr. of Boston; three daughters, Lena of Bridgeport, Barbara of Norwalk and Alandra of In.; his mother, Lena Hodges Penn of Boston; four brothers, Frederick, Marvin and Maurice of Boston, and Marlon of Me.; a sister, Sonya of Boston; several nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends. Local funeral services will be held Friday 11 a.m. at Messiah Baptist Church, 210 Congress Street with Rev. Reuben E. Williams, pastor, Emeritus, officiating. Interment will take place Tuesday at Oaklawn Cemetery, Boston. Friends may call Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. From 6 to 8p.m. there will be a wake service during which all religious, community, civic and political leaders will be allowed three minutes each to make remarks. Morton s Mortuary, Inc., 25 Margaret E. Morton Lane, Bridgeport is in charge of arrangements.