Rev. Hardy Smallwood
Retired Chaplain
Rev. Hardy Smallwood, a former prizefighter who hung up his gloves for ministry, was honored as the NYPD’s first Citizen of the Month in 1991 for moving into a Brooklyn apartment house and helping rid it of drug dealers. With a commitment to make New York City a better, safer, place, Smallwood, the pastor of Holy Tabernacle Number 1 in Brooklyn, was also instrumental in establishing a joint citizen’s patrol after racial tensions flared between Blacks and Hasidims in Crown Heights. Smallwood also served the community as a chaplain and was often referred to as “The Gatekeeper” of Brooklyn. He passed away in his sleep on April 19 at the age of 86.
