Children’s Aid mourns the passing of Cal Ramsey, former and longtime trustee and basketball icon. Ramsey represented the New York Knicks for more than 50 years, as a player, broadcaster, and community ambassador.

Born in Selma, Alabama, Ramsey lived in Harlem for most of his life and is regarded as the best player in NYU basketball history. James Dolan, the Knicks’ owner, said in a statement that Ramsey “will be remembered for the thousands of young lives he influenced as a community leader.”

Ramsey’s commitment to the youth of New York City was extraordinary. He often visited Dunlevy Milbank Center and was instrumental in getting professional basketball players like John Starks and Jason Kidd to visit our children and put on clinics. His generosity encompassed not only free tickets to games, but Thanksgiving turkeys and holiday gifts, even inviting some of our neediest families for Christmas parties at the Friars Club.

Ramsey was a kind and caring friend who gave so much to the game and city he loved, he will be greatly missed.