Beloved Former Fair Lawn Teacher Ronald Newsum Dies

FAIR LAWN, NJ — Ronald L. Newsum, a beloved former Fair Lawn High School teacher, has died.

Newsum died Saturday, his obituary states. He was 78.

Newsum taught woodshop at Fair Lawn High School and was chairman of the Industrial Art Department before he retired. His students won many awards for their projects.

He was a graduate of Chico State College in California.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Special Forces and a Green Beret.

The Fair Lawn Police Benevolent Association Local 67 paid tribute to Newsum on the union's Facebook page.

"Mr. Newsum was truly a Fair Lawn legend. A man of compassion [who] really cared for his students at Fair Lawn High School," the union said. "Rest In peace, Mr. Newsum. You will be missed, sir."

He was predeceased by his sister Vera.

Newsum is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jane; daughters Susan, and her husband David Hurtado, and Dana; grandchildren Sierra and Hunter; sister Doris Hull and brother Paul.

Visitation is Sunday at the William G. Basralian Funeral Home, 559 Kinderkamack Road, Oradell from 1 to 4 p.m.; a funeral service is at 4 p.m. Cremation will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps, 855 Windsor Road, Teaneck, N.J. 07666.

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Photo: Ronald L. Newsum/Courtesy of William G. Basralian Funeral Home/Candle image via Shutterstock