Senate Resolution No. 3122
BY: Senator KENNEDY
MOURNING the death of Ronald Peoples, retired
educator, distinguished citizen and devoted member
of his community
WHEREAS, There are certain outstanding members of our community who,
through their selfless commitment and dedication, served to better the
quality of life in their community and had a measurable positive impact
on the lives of its residents; Ronald Peoples was one such individual;
and
WHEREAS, Retired Buffalo Public Schools educator, Ronald Peoples of
Snyder, New York, died on Thursday, April 2, 2020, at the age of 86, due
to complications related to the coronavirus; and
WHEREAS, Ronald Peoples distinguished himself in his profession and
by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
his community; and
WHEREAS, After the Buffalo native was discharged from the Navy in
1957, Ronald Peoples earned a bachelor's degree at St. Cloud State
University in Minnesota; he then returned to Buffalo and was hired as
the first African-American teacher at School 82; and
WHEREAS, Ronald Peoples also earned two master's degrees in special
education and educational administration; and
WHEREAS, Advancing from the classroom, Ronald Peoples went on to
serve as the district's Home School Coordinator/Counselor at Woodlawn
Junior High School, and then as the district's Elementary School
Supervisor; and
WHEREAS, When he retired in 1995 after 35 years of valuable service,
Ronald Peoples became the Director of Adult Education for the district;
and
WHEREAS, Ronald Peoples' commitment to excellence, and his spirit of
humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including
charitable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, At the time of his death, Ronald Peoples was still active
in senior citizen track and field events; he was also working for the
Community Action Organization of Western New York's Second Chance
Program; he would meet with young incarcerated people to try and change
their lives while they were in jail as well as upon their release; and
WHEREAS, Among Ronald Peoples' most important affiliations was his
membership in the Buffalo Chapter of the African-American fraternity
Omega Psi Phi, a brotherhood that performs service to the community; he
was also a congregant of Bethel AME Church; and
WHEREAS, Ronald Peoples was an avid sports fan his whole life, with
a special devotion to the University at Buffalo's men's and women's
basketball teams; and
WHEREAS, In a 2017 "Salute to Local War Heroes" story in The BuffaloNews, Ronald Peoples was more eager to talk about his children's
accomplishments than his experiences as a Cold War veteran assigned to a
Navy ship that searched for enemy submarines in the Atlantic Ocean; and
WHEREAS, Always thinking and doing for others, he was a people
person; if he was not doing something for somebody else, his life would
not have meant anything to him; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his wife, the former Arlene Miles, and one
daughter, Rachel, Ronald Peoples is survived by his daughter, Monica;
his two sons, Ronald and Brian; and four grandchildren and one
great-grandchild; and
WHEREAS, Ronald Peoples will be remembered as a kind and generous
man who was also courteous, thoughtful, and compassionate; he will be
truly missed by all those who had the privilege and honor of knowing
him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Ronald Peoples, and to express its deepest
condolences to his family; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Ronald Peoples.