A. Donald Duncan III, a former New York City police detective who later directed the Yonkers Public Schools Human Relations Department during the city’s court-ordered school desegregation, died December 11, 2025. He was 91 and had been living in Poinciana, Florida.
A Career Defined by Human Relations
Known in Yonkers as A. Donald Duncan, he was recruited by the school district in 1986 to lead a newly formed Human Relations Department created as part of the Educational Improvement Plan mandated by the federal desegregation ruling in United States v. Yonkers Board of Education. The transition proceeded peacefully, with Duncan’s Human Relations Department training administrators, teachers, and students on cultural awareness throughout the process.
Prior to his Yonkers role, Duncan served as director of organizational development and training for an Exxon affiliate. He had earlier worked as a human relations administrator for Yonkers Public Schools before moving to the private sector.
From April 1965 to August 1973, Duncan served as a detective in the Intelligence Division of the New York City Police Department.
He later founded Impact Development Systems, Inc., a management consulting firm that advised governmental, educational, and corporate clients throughout North America for more than 30 years. He also taught graduate-level courses as an adjunct professor at the College of New Rochelle (closed 2019), the College of St. Rose (closed 2024), and The New School for Social Research, and published training exercises with University Associates.
His demonstrated leadership in education led to an appointment to the board of the National Center for Community Education, which advances school-community partnerships.
Early Life and Education
Abraham Donald Duncan III was born November 7, 1934, in Bronxville, New York, the first child of Abraham Duncan Jr. and Esther Gaines Duncan. His mother died when he was three, and he was raised by his father and stepmother, Margaret Gee.
He grew up in Tuckahoe, New York, where he joined Shiloh Baptist Church at age eight and later served on its Board of Trustees. He graduated from Tuckahoe High School and attended Virginia State College (now Virginia State University) in Petersburg, Virginia, for one year before enlisting in the United States Army. He served from 1955 to 1958 as an artillery surveyor and was honorably discharged.
Duncan completed his undergraduate studies at John Jay College, City University of New York, earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology and criminal justice. He later earned a master’s degree in human resource development.
Faith, Service, and Legacy
In 1960, Duncan became a Freemason, rising to Worshipful Master during his lifelong affiliation with the fraternity. He was a life member of the NAACP.
After retiring to Florida in 2003 with his wife, Dr. Lois Wilson Jamieson, he joined New Covenant Baptist Church in Orlando, where he served as an advisor to the Rev. Dr. Leroy Rose. He co-founded and later became president of the African Heritage Cultural Club in his retirement community, Solivita, and supported the Solivita African Heritage Cultural Club Educational Fund, Inc.
Duncan was known for his intelligence and playful nature. His magic tricks—with cards, salt shakers, and sponge balls—delighted audiences of all ages. But he was most remembered as a mentor, whether coaching Little League baseball, training human relations specialists, advising entrepreneurs, or encouraging young scholars.
