Family asking for help to bury famed R&B singer
The family of Bernard "Bernie" Wilson, a member of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes who died Dec. 26, is asking for financial assistance to bury the R&B singer.
"Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time because the family is [in] need of financial support to bury Mr. Wilson," John C. Gaither, supervisor at Keene & Carney Funeral Home in North Philadelphia, wrote in a letter "To Whom It May Concern."
On Wednesday night, Faith Peace-Mazzccua, Wilson's cousin, said she only has $2,000 from Wilson's remaining royalties to pay for the funeral.
The total cost would be $9,585, said Eric Carney, one of the owners of Keene & Carney.
The 64-year-old Wilson's body is being kept at the funeral home until services are finalized, Carney said.
The funeral would be held at Morris Brown AME Church 1756 N. 25th St. and Wilson would be buried at White Chapel Cemetary in Feasterville, Bucks County, Carney said.
Peace-Mazzccua, 54, said she does not work because of health issues and gets by on disability payments. Her husband, Albert Larry Mazzccua, 61, also does not work due to health problems, she said.
Wilson died at the Kresson View Center nursing home in Voorhees. He had suffered a stroke in 2009 and a heart attack last year.
A North Philadelphia native, Wilson was part of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes during the group's hitmaking heyday when it recorded "If You Don't Know Me by Now," "The Love I Lost," "Don't Leave Me This Way," and "Bad Luck."
The first incarnation of the group emerged in the 1950s and featured Harold Melvin, another Philadelphia native. At some point, Wilson became part of an evolving lineup.
It wasn't until 1972, when the group reformed with Teddy Pendergrass as the lead vocalist, and signed to Gamble and Huff's Philadelphia International label that the group shot to stardom.
During this period, the group also recorded the hits "I Miss You," and "Wake Up Everybody."
Keene & Carney Funeral Home can be contacted at 215-763-7265. It is located at 1939 W. Diamond St., Philadelphia, 19121.