Atlantic City in Atlantic County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
William "Sonny" Lea
1934 -
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 24, 2020
1. William "Sonny" Lea Marker
Inscription.
William "Sonny" Lea. Born in Caswell County N.C. and raised in Danville, Va., Sonny relocated to Atlantic City after being honorably discharged from the United States Air Force. He worked in various hotels and restaurants before he began working as a barber at the Little New York Barbershop. Later, he cut hair at Grace's Little Belmont Hair Salon before opening his own shop in 1975, all on the same famed Kentucky Avenue. Sonny's Barbershop has been the training ground for a new generation of barbers in Atlantic City, many of whom have started their own shops. More importantly, over the years, Sonny has mentored countless young people and sponsored a plethora of community events. A pillar in the community, he is a tireless advocate for youth education coupled with athletics. Sonny serves as a commissioner for the Atlantic City Municipal Utilities Authority and is an original steering committee member for the Battle by the Bay basketball showcase. He is best known as the Historian of the enduring Kentucky Avenue legacy.
Born in Caswell County N.C. and raised in Danville, Va., Sonny relocated to Atlantic City after being honorably discharged from the United States Air Force. He worked in various hotels and restaurants before he began working as a barber at the Little New York Barbershop. Later, he cut hair at Grace's Little Belmont Hair Salon before opening his own shop in 1975, all on the same famed Kentucky Avenue. Sonny's Barbershop has been the training ground for a new generation of barbers in Atlantic City, many of whom have started their own shops. More importantly, over the years, Sonny has mentored countless young people and sponsored a plethora of community events. A pillar in the community, he is a tireless advocate for youth education coupled with athletics. Sonny serves as a commissioner for the Atlantic City Municipal Utilities Authority and is an original steering committee member for the Battle by the Bay basketball showcase. He is best known as the Historian of the enduring Kentucky Avenue legacy.
Erected by City of Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic
Location. 39° 21.757′ N, 74° 25.89′ W. Marker is in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in Atlantic County. It is at the intersection of North Kentucky Avenue and Arctic Avenue, on the right when traveling north on North Kentucky Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 42 N Kentucky Ave, Atlantic City NJ 08401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on New Jersey’s Jersey Shore. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Additional commentary. 1. Passing of Sonny Lea Sonny Lea passed away on October 15, 2018.
— Submitted July 25, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 25, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 483 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 25, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
