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WILLIAM DONAT Obituary

DONAT--William H., born 1937, child survivor of the Warsaw Ghetto; President, Waldon Press; lecturer on Holocaust. Died peacefully with his loving wife of 49 years Ellen by his side. Emigrated to US in 1946, graduated Bronx High School of Science 1956, Colgate 1960, served proudly in U.S. Army. Loving father of Gregory (Suzanne), Edward (Avril), Jocelyn, proud grandfather of Annalisa, Caroline, Lindsay, Madeleine, Lucas, Riley. Will be remembered for his charismatic personality and sense of humor. Services: Woodlands Temple, White Plains, NY 10607, Friday, 11am. Donations: Woodlands Temple, Museum of Jewish Heritage: 36 Battery Pl., NYC, 10280, Thanks to Scandinavia: 165 E. 56 St., New York 10022.

Published by New York Times on Nov. 5, 2009.
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Memories and Condolences
for WILLIAM DONAT

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Rest easy Bill. I wish I had come to really know you at Colgate, but we traveled in different worlds. I wish we could have learned from you then, but that is our fault. Colgate was not the place then to open old wounds and share memories. Thank you for talking to me so openly 25 years later, I think of you frequently. Baruch HaShem

Stephen Lefrak

Classmate

February 26, 2020

Dear Jossie:
Our deepest sympathy on the loss of your father. Whenever we think of Colgate, we think of you and what a wonderful friend you were to Richard. I remember meeting your folks...and Fred and I were truly saddened when Richard told us about your dad. Hopefully, you have wonderful memories to comfort you and to share with your own family. Richard always reminds us that we ( the parents) are at the age when!!!! happens.
We hope that you will get to see Richard when he is in New York next week.
Fondly, Barbara

barbara rosenblum

November 24, 2009

To Bill's wife, children and grandchildren: I worked with Bill at R.R. Bowkder in the late '60s and later at Matthew Bender. He was so alive and so interesting to talk to. He talked constantly about his family so I feel that I know you too. I am very sorry for your loss. Rosanne Dobbin

Rosanne Dobbin

November 19, 2009

Dear Ellen and Family,
I am saddened to learn of Bill's passing. His work, speaking as a Holocaust survivor was touching and inspirational. My condolences on behalf of the Kleinmann Family Foundation.

Naomi Kramer

November 18, 2009

Dear Ellen and family,

I had the pleasure of getting to know Bill through Thanks to Scandinavia and subsequently being able to work with him on the 2nd production of my opera "The Yellow Star" at Iona College.

During our meetings, I learned so much!
My life was truly enriched by having known him. Even more than his knowledge and experience, I was greatly affected by his contagious zeal.

I am indebted to Bill not just for his willingness to be the narrator in the opera, but for his desire to help in any way possible--even running to the train station to give performers a lift in his car.

I am so sorry for your loss. Though I only knew Bill for several years, he was very quick to make friends and I feel privileged that he shared so much of his life with me. I have many memories of Bill that I will always cherish.

Bradley Detrick

November 17, 2009

Ellen -

Today I opened my copy of the Colgate Scene, and read Bill's letter on the good works he's been doing. Since it has been many years since Bill and I have spoken, I thought I'd email him. Since I didn't know his address, I googled him and found his obituary. How sad.

Bill and I were good friends at Colgate and I'm fond of relating our week with Paul Newman, neither of us having any idea who Paul Newman was until we got back to school. Bill's life and his father's book made a great impression on me, and I have spoken of Bill often;always when the subject of the Holocaust came up.

A number of years ago, my wife and I were traveling in a dugout canoe in the Equardorian rain forest and struck up a conversation with another couple who asked me where I went to college. When I said Colgate they immediately asked me if I knew Bill. They were the Mevis's, with whom we became quite friendly.

Bill may be dead, but his memories will live on with me. I will continue to tell of our Paul Newman story, of our skiing adventures, and most especially of Bill's life and his work.

My condolences,

David Smith

David Smith

November 16, 2009

Dear Ellen,

I am so sorry for your lose. My prayers are with you during your time of sorrow.
Fondly, Pat Gail

November 10, 2009

Dear Ellen,
I have just learned of Bill's passing.
I am profoundly sad. My memories of his laughter and your loving family are always with me.
With love ,
Anita and Sam Guss

Anita Guss

November 10, 2009

Please accept my deepest condolences on this sad occasion. I spoke to William on 25th of October reminiscing on his journey to Poalnd to meet his rescuer magda grodzka. He said he knows that his time is very short but he feels greateful God gave him a chance to do the right thing before he is gone - to go to jerusalem and indite her as Rightous Among the Nations. Thank you William for your kind gesture and a priviladge to know you.

Peter Piwowarczyk

November 7, 2009

Jocelyn and family: I prayed for William and you every night since I learned he was ill. I was genuinely grieved to learn earlier today of your loss. I can only wish you a short path to consolation. I know you will have many happy memories and love to stay with you, in your minds and hearts, for all your lives.

Dan Napolitano

November 6, 2009

Katherine and I are so sorry to hear of your loss. We spent a very enjoyable afternoon with Bill at our Bronx Science class reunion reminiscing about the old days when we were all so young. I had hoped to contact Bill during my next trip to New York, but fate had other plans. Our best to you and your family.

David & Katherine Werdegar

November 6, 2009

Dear Ellen,
We were so sad to read Bill's obituary yesterday in the NY Times.
Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Faye and Marty Weiner

Faye Weiner

November 6, 2009

Such a sad news!
Hard to believe. I met this wonderful and full of energy man over two years ago, as a director of photography for Mary Skinner's film on Irena Sendler. We filmed William's reunion with his rescuer Marta Grodzka in Warsaw. We travelled together to the places where he was hidden. Later, he successfully worked to have Marta recognized by Yad Vashem. My deep condolences to his family,
Slawomir Grunberg

slawomir Grunberg

November 6, 2009

Our thoughts are with you at this time. Please accept our sympathy,
Carol & Kenny Schwartz

November 5, 2009

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We will never forget Bill's energy and enthusiasm for making the difficult journey back to Poland -- his moving re-union with Magda, his sense of humor, his sensitivity, and the devotion and integrity he brought to his charitable work in the last years of his life.

- The producers, director and crew of "In the Name of Their Mothers" documentary film about Irena Sendler

Mary Skinner

November 5, 2009

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