The Westfield HS director fell into a coma for a month and died after donating bone marrow to help a 14-year-old boy.

A selfless act of kindness by Westfield High School principal Derrick Nelson, who gave bone marrow to a 14-year-old boy in France, led to a coma that ultimately cost his family Sunday, according to his family.

Nelson, 44, underwent donation at a hospital in Bergen County in February, his 81-year-old father Willie Nelson said in an interview with NJ Advance Media on Tuesday.

"After the intervention, he could no longer talk and was lying in bed," said his 81-year-old father. "His eyes were open and he realized who we were. But he could not move. He never spoke again.

Nelson said he and his wife, Juanita, also 81, the fiance of his son, Sheronda, and the daughter of the 6-year-old couple, had kept watch in his room at the Hackensack University Hospital. for weeks, in the hope that he will heal. Nelson died Sunday.

"We really do not know the whole story of what happened," Willie Nelson said. "We were expecting him to come out of the coma he was in. But he did not survive."

Derrick Nelson spoke about his desire to help the teenager in France during an interview with the Westfield High School student newspaper, hiseye.org, just before the operation.

"If this causes you a little pain for a time that can give a person years of joy, it's worth it," Nelson told the student newspaper. The bone marrow would provide stem cells that could help the teenager, he said, although the boy's disease is not revealed.

Nelson also explained how twinning had occurred and some complications that had delayed the surgery.

Nelson told hiseye.org that he was suffering from sleep apnea and that doctors feared to resort to anesthesia. An intravenous stem cell project was also abandoned when doctors learned that Nelson was a carrier of sickle cell disease. They finally decided to have bone marrow surgery under local anesthesia, Nelson told the student newspaper.

Nelson's father said he informed the school officials that he would need to be away from work to recover from the proceedings.

Salm Sivaad, a musician from Atlanta, Georgia, tweeted that his friend had died trying to help save the life of a person he did not know.

"It turns out that Derrick's death was no less heroic, and ultimately tragic," tweeted Sivaad. "My friend died trying to save the life of a child … a stranger that he has never met from a foreign country."

On Tuesday at Westfield High School, the students recalled the beloved director for his selfless act and compassion.

"I've always known that he was a great man.It was the kind of man who used authority but who was still so affordable.I can not name only one person who does not like it, "said Marcela Avans, a 16-year-old. junior, one year old at Westfield High School. "When I discovered that he was sick for the first time, it broke my heart because it helped somebody, but it really did me." makes him respect and appreciate him more for his service within the community. "

Emma Roth, a 17-year-old junior, said Nelson had brought incredible energy to his role at Westfield High School.

"I always remember him with a smile on his face and he was very energetic," Roth said. He was different from all the other directors I've ever had. "

Nelson's bereaved parents said they were planning a funeral later this week at St. John's Baptist Church in Scotch Plains. They said that they would try to finalize and announce the services later on Tuesday.

Nelson was an officer on the US Army Reserve for over 20 years and had recently reengaged, his father said. His military service included an assignment in the Middle East, said school officials.

Before coming to Westfield, Nelson was an assistant director at two public schools in Orange. He began his career in education in 2002 as a teacher in the Plainfield School District.

Social media became angry after the news of Nelson's death on Monday, recalling his generous spirit, immense nature and kindness.

"Dr. Nelson has touched us all with his kindness, compassion, integrity and tremendous positive attitude, "said Dr. Margaret Dolan, Westfield School District Director, in a letter to parents on Monday.

Dolan said councilors would be available from 8 am on Tuesday for students at Westfield High School.

"He was the type of guy who took the shirt off his back and gave it to you," said his father. "He was very good at everything he did. He devoted 100% of his life to education. "

Journalist Taylor Tiamoyo Harris contributed to this report.

Anthony G. Attrino can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @ TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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