Embedded Files
Feb. 2026 ROMEO
November 4, 2007
Nu 1970
Ronald G. Stone, 57, of Nutley made his transition on Nov. 4, 2007. The celebration of his life will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Wells Cathedral C.O.G.I.C., 672 Martin Luther King Blvd. Entombment will follow at Glendale Cemetery, Bloomfield. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 4 p.m. though 8 p.m. at the Whigham Funeral Home, 580 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
A lifelong resident of New Jersey, Mr. Stone was the principal of Weequahic High School in Newark for the past six years.
He was the beloved husband of Meg Stone; devoted father of Bobby, Ronald Jr., Jesse and Jarrett, and caring brother of Jacquetta Campbell, Hugh, Howard and Larry Brodie. He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Weequahic High School Alumni, 279 Chancellor Ave., Newark, NJ. 07112.
Weequahic principal mourned – Ronald Stone urged students, staff ‘to show we’re a step above the rest’
Star-Ledger, The (Newark, NJ) – Thursday, November 8, 2007
Weequahic principal mourned Ronald Stone urged students, staff ‘to show we’re a step above the rest’ moments before the first bell rang each morning to signal the start of classes at Weequahic High School, students wandering the halls heard a familiar refrain from Principal Ronald Stone.
“He’d see you and say ‘Good morning young lady, code orange, go to class,”‘ recalled Weequahic senior Marie White. “He didn’t want nobody in the hallway. He wanted us to learn, to graduate, to show we’re a step above the rest.”
Stone, a principal, mentor and friend to his students and staff, died unexpectedly Sunday afternoon after suffering a heart attack at home. He’d celebrated his 57th birthday Saturday.
Yesterday students gathered to remember him and figure out a way to pay tribute to a man they said always wanted them to succeed and do their best.
“This is the time for seniors to stand up and bring this school together,” said LaTisha Prophète who helped organize a prayer vigil last night. “That what he wanted us to do.”
A 1968 Barringer High School graduate, Stone began teaching in Newark in 1974 after earning a degree in physical education and an a master’s degree in administration and supervision from Kean College. Through the years he taught, and coached youngsters from elementary schools around the city including First Avenue, Dayton Street and Peshine Avenue schools.
Six years ago he took over as principal at Weequahic and had been slowly but surely changing the culture of the building, which prior to his arrival had struggled with poor academics, low morale and violence. In recent years test scores have improved and a sense of Indian Pride, or as Stone called it ,”IP,” filled the building, Newark School Superintendent Marion Bolden said.
“It was tough love. He didn’t take a lot of stuff,” she said. “But you can see it in the school, the colors, the orange and brown everywhere that kids began to wear on Fridays. His kids believed in him.”
One of his greatest triumphs at the school was a decision to invest in the varsity football program, which last year paid off when Weequahic won its first state football championship, the district’s first win in 31 years.
Stone was also working with his staff to improve the school’s academic program so teens who might opt to attend one of the district’s magnet schools would stay closer to home and go to Weequahic, Vice Principal Elizabeth Haden said. Haden said she is grateful Stone’s family shared him with everyone at Weequahic because he was a “big brother, father, mentor.”
In time, the district’s leaders will figure out who will guide the school going forward,
Bolden said, but for now the focus is on celebrating Stone’s life and supporting his biological and school families.
His students have already planned a number of vigils in his honor including one following the funeral. After the 10 a.m. service at Well Cathedral, 672 Martin Luther King Blvd., Stone is scheduled to make one last trip past Weequahic High School. There, if all goes as planned, students and community members will greet him wearing their Indian Pride, orange and brown, to say goodbye.
Links related to Brother Ron Stone, including the New York Times:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_of_Stone_(2009_film)
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse