Donald John Pinarski

Donald John Pinarski, 83, recently of California, Pa., and a lifelong resident of Hammond, Ind., passed away Sunday, September 14, 2025, peacefully at home surrounded by his wife and family. He was born February 20, 1942, in Hammond, the son of the late Mary Justynski and Joseph Pinarski. He was the loving brother to the late Eugene Pinarski. Donald was a devoted husband and father making sure his sons were provided with every opportunity possible. He was a graduate of Purdue University with a degree in industrial engineering. During his career, he worked at both Inland Steel and US Steel in Gary, Ind. A devout Catholic, he was a former member of St. Casimir Parish in Hammond, and a member of the Holy Name Society. Donald was an avid baseball enthusiast. He enjoyed playing as well as coaching. He was a beloved little league baseball coach for the Hermits Boys Baseball League in Hammond, where he coached them to victory during the 1979 season. A long-suffering Chicago White Sox fan, Donald was thrilled when they won the World Series in 2005 breaking the 88-year losing streak. Donald was a softspoken man with an incredible dry wit. His laughter was contagious when watching anything with Mel Brooks, Benny Hill, Ernie Kovacs or Rodney Dangerfield. One of his favorite movies was "Young Frankenstein" and it was always memorable to watch it with him. Donald is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patricia Janos Pinarski; sons, Robert Pinarski, and Richard (Sherry) Pinarski; grandchildren, Nicholas (Hayley) Pinarski, Phillip (fiancee, Lauren Grubius) Pinarski, Alexander (fiancee, Lily Simmons) Pinarski, Messiah Pinarski, and Darius Pinarski; godchildren, Terri Kohler, Gregory Pinarski, and George Ignas; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, September 20 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. John Capistran Church, 1610 McMillan Road, Pittsburgh, PA.