Dale Leonard Fields

Dale Leonard Fields

Dale Leonard Fields was born August 16, 1941 in Alcoma, Florida.  He was the fifth child of seven children born to the late Reverend Dr. Samuel Fields and the late Ruth Nelson Fields.  Dale received his primary and secondary education in Lake Wales, Florida and was a proud graduate of Roosevelt High School’s class of 1959. 

Dale had the desire to further his education; therefore, he enrolled at Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Florida, where he obtained a Social Science degree.  He later enrolled in graduate school where he studied Psychology at Jersey City State College in Jersey City, New Jersey.  He also earned an Early Childhood Development degree at Kean University in Union, New Jersey.

Dale came to New Jersey in the late 1960’s.  He worked for the Essex County Welfare Board as a social worker, the Cranford Learning Center as a teacher, the New Jersey Job Corps as a counselor, and finally at the Grace Wilday and Abraham Clark High School as an ISS Coordinator.

A great father, not only to his own children, he was affectionately called “BIG DADDY” by many of his students in Roselle.  He was a mentor and advocate to numerous students who sought his advice.  He counseled and directed countless children down the right path.

Dale married Patricia Span on December 28, 1973 and from this union, Dale Michael Samuel was born. 

Dale and Pat enjoyed many cruises and vacations.   Entertaining at home was one of Dale’s greatest pleasures.  Dale loved to laugh, tell stories, and was a fantastic cook.  His family looked forward to his backyard fish fry’s, dinners, and annual New Year’s Day brunch.  Dale was an avid sports fan, especially of the Roselle Rams and the New York Giants.

Dale was a former member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Roselle where he was a part of their scholarship committee.  While in Florida he was a member of the First Institutional Missionary Baptist Church.

Organizations that Dale was a member of include Lake Wales Branch NAACP, the Edward Waters College National Alumni Association, and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Committee.

Dale’s memory will be cherished by his wife, Patricia; his children, Dale Michael (Cary), Martin (Charisse), Kathleen, Derrick from Florida, and Kevin (Vivian) from Connecticut; a brother, Alfonso (Lucinda) from Florida; a sister, Eula from Florida; sister in laws, Emma Fields from Florida and Kathleen McLean from New Jersey, and a host of grandchildren. 

Visitation will take place in the Kowalski Funeral Home, 515 Roselle St., Linden, on Tuesday, October 10^th. from 6:00 – 9:00PM.  On Wednesday, October 11^th. at 9:45AM, family and friends are asked to gather directly at the First Baptist Church of Linden, 929 Dill Avenue, where a funeral service, conducted by Reverend Dr. Derrick R. Dumas, will be held at 10:00AM.  The burial will follow in the family plot in Rosehill Cemetery in Linden.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Abraham Clark High School Track & Field Team, c/o Carla Wynter-Darius, 226 East 5^th. Avenue, Roselle, NJ 07203.

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