Dr. Donald F. Weinstein

1938 - 2019

Dr. Donald F. Weinstein

Ocean Township - Dr. Donald F. Weinstein, 80, of Ocean Township, NJ, died peacefully on Saturday, May 11, 2019 following a tireless battle to recover from open heart surgery. Don was born in Brooklyn, NY to Harris and Rose Weinstein on June 17, 1938. He graduated from Brooklyn Tech High School and attended Adelphi University on a swimming scholarship, where he obtained his bachelor's degree. Don went on to attend The City University of New York, earning his masters in American History and in 1974 his PhD in Latin American History. He began his career in education as a teacher at Valley Stream High School and later at New Rochelle High School, while at night he was an Associate Professor at Queens College. In 1976, Don moved into K-12 administration as a High School Principal at Monument Valley in Kayenta, Arizona, Cazenovia High School, and Long Branch Schools, later becoming Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum. After working with software systems at Long Branch, he started his own consulting practice and, using software tools developed by his company, aided districts in improving the effectiveness of their curriculum. Don wrote two books related to Curriculum Mapping that were used in districts throughout the US. While running his consulting practice, he became a professor at various universities, teaching classes to certify teachers to become school administrators. At 62, he suffered a severe stroke, and over the years worked his way to nearly full recovery. Because of his struggles he decided to write a book, "My Stroke" about his experiences, to help others face the challenges of recovery. He was very passionate about all he dove into, from reforming education to mentoring caregivers of those with aphasia. He was highly regarded by all those he touched.

Don is predeceased by his first wife, Irene, who he met while lifeguarding in Coney Island. Together they had a son, Jeff. He married his second wife, Phyllis and they had two sons, Robert and Erick. Rob passed away in 2010. Don married Dale McInerney and they were living in West Hempstead, New York for nearly 30 years before divorcing.

Throughout his life and in his retirement years, Don had a passion for politics at all levels and enjoyed debating a host of these topics with anyone and everyone. He was an avid reader, enjoyed old movies, going to museums, hanging at the beach, and loved to walk. He thoroughly enjoyed research and writing, and his travels to Israel, Argentina, the Navajo Indian Reservation fueled his work. But what he relished the most was time spent at family gatherings and being a fun, warm, and loving GPa to his granddaughters.

Don is survived by his son, Jeff, and his wife, Anne, and his grandchildren, Alison and Jessica, son, Erick, Dale's son, Mark McInerney and his wife, Dana and their children, Lily and Wyatt, nephews, Richard and Kenny Finkelson, niece, Melissa and her husband, Dr. Corey Cohen, and sister, Gloria, and her husband, Marty Finkelson.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30am, Friday, May 17, 2019 at Congregation Torat El, 301 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst, NJ. Interment will follow at Mount Sinai Cemetery, 374 Highway 79, Morganville, NJ 07751. Donations in Donald's memory may be made to the American Heart Association or to any charity that has special meaning. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels, Ocean, NJ.