Ronald Lee Wilson, fondly referred to as “Boss” by his close-knit A15 college crew, was born in Newark, New Jersey on December 26, 1960, to Leroy and Joan Wilson. As the eldest of three siblings, Ron grew up alongside his brother Steven and sister Susan. During his childhood, Ron and his family were active members of Elmwood Presbyterian Church in East Orange, New Jersey. This church played a pivotal role in shaping Ron’s spiritual foundation and relationship with God. Beyond its religious teachings, Elmwood Presbyterian served as a social hub in Ron’s life. He formed meaningful friendships, participated in church trips, and was a member of the choir. The church provided him with opportunities not only to learn about God but also to build a sense of community and belonging.
Ron attended St. Benedict’s Preparatory School, where he excelled academically. In addition to his scholastic achievements, he was also involved in athletics, playing football and participating as a wrestler. Ron’s pursuit of higher education led him to Adelphi University, where he earned a degree in accounting. During his time at Adelphi, he formed lifelong friendships with Wayne Bodden, Louie Garcia, John Davis and Armond St. Juste; together, they called themselves the “A15” crew. Ron furthered his academic credentials by obtaining his license as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and completing an MBA at St. John’s University. He also obtained a certification as an Associate in Risk Management (ARM).
Ron built a distinguished career as a CPA. He held positions as a Controller and Finance Director in the non-profit arena. The last position he held was Associate Vice President of Accounting at Computer Share. He was known for his dedication, professionalism, and leadership in every role he held. Throughout his career, Ron earned the respect of colleagues and clients alike, and his commitment to excellence left a lasting impact on those who worked with him.
Ron made a significant commitment to his faith, surrendering his life to Christ early in his college years. One of the first churches he attended during this period was the Church of South Jamaica, located in Jamaica, New York. This community church was dedicated to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ and became a place where Ron experienced profound spiritual growth and learned the importance of serving the Lord. He became actively involved in various outreach activities, including distributing food and clothing to those in need and participating in street evangelism. Standing in front of the church, Ron handed out gospel tracts to those passing by. Using a microphone and speaker, he boldly preached the message of the Good News of Jesus Christ to the community.
On September 20, 1997, Ron married Janine, the love of his life. The couple purchased a home in Jackson, New Jersey, where they lived for 20 years. Ron became an active member of Grace Christian Church in Freehold, NJ, serving as a deacon and faithfully leading a youth cell group. Later, Ron and Janine relocated to Matawan, NJ, reducing his commute to New York. He attended Community Bible Fellowship until the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, Ron and Janine are members of Harvest Time Worship Center. At Harvest Time, Ron continued his service by teaching Bible study, greeting congregants, and participating on the Missions’ team.
Ron faced a severe health crisis earlier in his life, one that required immediate and significant intervention. During this challenging period, his brother Steven felt prompted by the Lord to step in and provide meaningful assistance. In an extraordinary act of love and selflessness, Steven donated one of his kidneys to Ron. This generous act played a crucial role in helping Ron navigate and overcome his health crisis, demonstrating the strength of their bond and Steven’s deep compassion for his brother.
Ron was truly fun-loving, always finding ways to bring humor to everyday situations. He had a remarkable talent for making any moment lighthearted and funny, ensuring that those around him felt at ease and entertained.
During his time as a resident assistant in graduate school, Ron experienced many memorable moments, but one incident stood out for its humor. On one occasion, Ron greeted two men in French, not realizing they were fluent speakers of the language. The men immediately began expressing their complaints to him in French, catching Ron completely off guard. Unable to understand what they were saying, Ron found himself in an awkward position. However, when the two men realized Ron did not actually speak French, the situation quickly shifted. What began as a misunderstanding turned into shared laughter, as Ron’s good-natured charm and sense of humor diffused the tension. The two men were no longer upset, and the experience became one of Ron’s cherished stories, highlighting his ability to bring lightness to any situation.
Another memorable aspect of Ron’s personality was his knack for creating nicknames for those around him. He would come up with amusing names and use them so frequently that the names would catch on. Before long, everyone at work or at church would start calling the person by Ron’s inventive nickname, a testament to his playful influence on those around him.
One of Ron’s favorite pastimes was watching his beloved football team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. His enthusiasm for the team was well known to all who knew him. Ron’s passion was evident in the impressive collection of Pittsburgh Steelers memorabilia he proudly owned, reflecting his unwavering support for his favorite team.
Ron was also known for his generous spirit. He was always eager to help others in any way he could. For instance, whenever he dined out with friends or family, Ron was the first to reach for the check, always insisting on paying the tab. His thoughtfulness and willingness to give made him a cherished person.
Above all, Ron deeply cherished his family. He made it a priority to visit them as often as possible and to stay connected, frequently calling to check on his loved ones. His sister, whom he affectionately called “SueSue,” was especially dear to him, and he maintained a close and caring relationship with her.
Ron was preceded in death by his mother, Joan Ann Wilson, whose memory he cherished deeply.
Ron leaves a legacy cherished by his loving wife of 28 years, Janine; father, Leroy Wilson; mother-in-law, Sylvene Urquhart; children, Chelsea and Jared Wilson; aunts, Katie Telfer, Barbara Eison-White and Lula Urquhart; brother, Steven Wilson; sister, Susan (Jerith) Eaddy; sisters-in-law, Adrienne (Cliff) Straughn and Celeste Kyles; nieces, Niyah (Tawain) Watts, Bria and Daria Straughn, Essence Kyles, and Alivya Henriques; nephew, Erin Straughn; as well as a host of grandnephews, grandnieces, cousins, and friends.
