Pastor Ronald Carter, Longtime Freeport Religious Leader, Dies At 84

FREEPORT, NY — Bishop Ronald H. Carter, a beloved member of the Village of Freeport and leader of Refuge Apostolic Church of Christ for more than 50 years, died at age 84.

Carter founded the church 57 years ago in Hempstead. He took it to Roosevelt, before it's final destination of Freeport, Newsday said.

He ran the church with his wife of 59 years, Pastor Phyllis Carter.

Although Carter was a Republican, he was praised from both sides of the aisle.

New York State Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs said he was "greatly saddened" to learn of Carter's passing.

Jacobs said he went to the bishop for "advice and guidance, as did so many others."

"He will be long remembered as someone who put his congregants and his neighbors before himself and fought to the very end to better the lives of people in his community and this county," Jacobs said.

Services are planned for Nov. 17 at Greater Refuge Temple in Harlem and Nov. 18 at Zion Cathedral in Freeport, according to Newsday.