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Ron Goldstein, founder of the local chicken-wing chain Long Wong’s, has died.
While the cause of death could not be confirmed, his nephew Josh Goldstein said he had a heart attack in March and died May 18.
The Long Wong's near 28th Street and Thomas Road in Phoenix had a sign posted on its takeout window this week announcing Goldstein's death. The restaurant, which is a colorful building adorned with many metal sculptures, has been at the same spot for more than four decades.
I just want to get information out to Ron's friends he grew up with in New York. Ron “Ronny” Goldstein (Long Wongs Tempe) passed away in May of 2024. The Memorial Service will be held at The Rhythm Room 1019 E Indian School Rd. in Phoenix, Sunday March 16th at 2pm. |
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Bruce Sabatino
I remember Ronnie Goldstein as a very friendly, sociable, and always well dressed classmate. He enjoyed dressing up and he was always very pleasant, always seemed to be smiling. I did not really get to know him, but when you saw him walking down the hall you immediately knew it was him. He had a real style about him, and I admired that. I recall him as being happy go lucky and self confident but not at all snobby. It sounds like he had a successful business locally and he must have liked sculpture, so he definitely had that going for him as well. Rest in Peace dear classmate. Best wishes to everyone. Hope we all have many years left on this earth and use them wisely.
Bruce Sabatino, '69 (South).
Bill Dougherty
As we all get older we experience more of our friends and family passing away.
This notice about Ronnie hits pretty hard. I consider him as one of the best friends I've ever had. He was kind and generious and I can't ever remember him angry. My first job was running some of the rides at Glen Park. Those were the good old days. A few years his Dad, David, purchased a plumbing warehouse and a few of us got to work on it converting it into the best club in the entire area. Remember Gilligans!? I don't think we got paid but we did get a photo ID for life long admission, which was wonderful. I got to meet Chuck Berry and Johnny Winter there.
I think we were still in high school when he bought Ford Model A. That was so much fun riding around town in. 1968 we took a road trip to the Newport Folk Festival. Saw Janice Joplin, B.B. King and Tai Mahal. Ronnie drove this huge Cadillac I remember Allen Belknap and Dennis Dean came along but recall the other two.
My parents were going through an ugly divorce in our junior year. I loved going over to Rons house his parent alway kind and supportive.
So many great memories. Rest in peace my friend.
Bill Dougherty
Dennis C. Newkirk
Ron's passing in sad and surprising news. Out of the blue, about 8-9 months ago, I got a phone call from him. We were good friends in high school and had not had any contact since. He had left a VM and I returned his call. It was a great conversation rehashing old times and laughing about them. We probably spoke for close to an hour. At that time, he mentioned that he was not in good health. He said that he hated social media and computers and did not use them. I would have liked to have kept a dialogue going. We had a great time back then and have many memories. Rest in peace, Ron.
Rex Zimmerman (Zimmerman)
So sorry to hear about yet another of our classmates passing.
I remember Ron as always having a smile on his face. My recollection is that he was instrumental in putting together support for the senior lounge (remember that? In the temporary building?) and making it happen.
For some reason Ron's message at our graduation has always stuck with me and now has come full circle - he said that the sad truth is that from that day forward the most that we will hear about our classmates will be the news of their passing.
Ron asked me to go along to help him pick out a car but I have no idea why. We went to the Dodge dealer on Transit where he picked out an orange Dodge Demon (I think?) with a big engine. Why me?
Ron and I last spoke several years ago when I was able to locate him in AZ. He indicated that he was in poor health and that he had very little contact with anyone from Williamsville.
Cynthia M. Trautman (Fritz)
I'm so very sad to hear of Ron's passing. Again, way too young . I always remember him with a big smile on his face and one of the nicest people ever. My sympathy to his family and close friends.