DONALD THOMAS JONES, II
NOVEMBER 4, 1961 - SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
Don was born on November 4, 1961, in East Orange General Hospital to parents Judy and Don Jones. He grew up in Livingston, graduating from Newark Academy in 1980 and then enrolling at the University of Richmond. There, he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1984.
After graduation, Don spent the summer backpacking throughout Europe and later began his career with BBS Investors in Livingston. A year later, he was hired by Cantor Fitzgerald and eventually worked his way to becoming an Executive Vice President in the Municipal Bond Department. Working on the 104th floor of Building One in the World Trade Center, he survived the bombing in 1993. He was called a hero in many New York newspapers as he calmly lead many down a darkened stairwell over 100 floors, including a pregnant woman who was in labor, to safety.
On February 12, 1995, Don married Michele Ramirez at St. Philomena’s Church in Livingston. They moved into the Northfield Townhouses in West Orange and in 1996, their daughter Taylor Nicole was born. Three years later, their son, Donald Thomas, III was born. In March 2001, the family moved to Livingston, just around the corner from where he grew up. He was delighted that his daughter was starting elementary school in the same classroom he attended.
On September 11, 2001, Don was killed in his office on the 104th floor of the World Trade Center.
