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Thomas J. Donato - Class of 1959

Submitted by Bill Norvell 1965 <w.norvell@gmail.com> on 20/Feb/2023
184.88.213.148

    Thomas J. Donato, born in Newburgh, NY on February 20, 1941, passed away on January 10, 2023 at his home in The Villages, Florida. He was 81 years old.

Tom was predeceased by his parents Louis Donato and Lena Fortino Donato, and his sisters, Rosemarie and Delores. He is survived by his wife LaVern, his former wife Beverly, and his children, Craig Donato, Hilary Odoy and Cindy England and their respective spouse. In addition, he is also survived by his step children, Sarita Pfahl, Carrie Sena and Holly Frank, as well as his niece, Kathleen Billesimo. Tom was an adoring grandfather to twelve grandchildren.

Tom was a dynamic educator and a dedicated community servant. He graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in 1959 and Siena College in 1963. He received his Masters Degree from the College of Saint Rose and his School Administrator Certificate from SUNY New Paltz.

As an educator, Tom dedicated his career to enhancing the lives of his students and their families. He served as Assistant Principal at Temple Hill School and South Junior High School in Newburgh, NY. In addition, he also was Principal at New Windsor School, and GAMS Magnet School. Tom shared his expertise with other administrators through his role as an Adjunct Teacher at SUNY New Paltz’s Graduate Program, and as a Guest Presenter for the National School to Work Program in Washington, D.C.

Tom's penchant for helping his community was evident in his service to many agencies that worked to enhance the lives of others, including Habitat for Humanity, the Make a Wish Foundation and the Special Olympics. He was an active member of the Lions Club in Cornwall, NY and he held a number of distinguished positions with area agencies. Tom served as President of the Board of Directors at McQuade Children's Service, President of the National New Windsor Historical Association and he was honored as Citizen of the Year in 1982 for his work in support of welcoming home the hostages from Iran.

Tom's leisure time was spent honing his craft as a master woodworker. His creative abilities were evidenced in many completed projects, both for his family and for others.

Tom was often referred to as a gentle giant by those who had the opportunity to know him and it is fitting that he was also an avid NY Giants fan. His family and friends knew him as an animated storyteller. In a recent book compiled by Tom and his family he offered to his grandchildren, Family is love, and love is family. We all carry inside those that came before us. You live as long as you are remembered, be the storytellers of our story. Tom lived his story immensely well, with love, joy, and compassion for others at the center.

In lieu of flowers, and in the remembrance of Tom Donato, his family asks that donations be directed to the Special Olympics, an organization near and dear to his heart: https://support.specialolympics.org/a/tribute-gifts

A memorial service and burial are planned for 10:00am on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Bloomingburg Rural Cemetery in Bloomingburg, NY.