Philip Donisi

Philip Arthur
Donisi passed away on March 4, 2012, surrounded by family and friends. Born in Ohio on November 2, 1935, his family quickly made their way to Houston. Among his early accomplishments was his reputed status as the top Houston Chronicle sales boy from his East End perch at Harrisburg Boulevard and 75th Street, a record he no doubt still claims. Philip graduated from Immaculate Conception School, St. Thomas High School ('53, with honors) and the University of Houston (B.B.A. '57 and LL.B '60, with honors, The Order of the Barons). He served his country as a member of the U.S. Army, Artillery Division. Philip was honored with countless awards and accolades over his professional career for his legal prowess, as well as his dedication to his clients and the legal and accounting professions. He was honored by the State Bar of Texas in 2010 for his 50 years of outstanding service as an attorney and by the Texas Board of Public Accountancy in 2008 for his 50 years of service as a Certified Public Accountant. He was elected to the American College of Probate Counsel in 1973, and the Texas Bar presented him with the Certificate of Special Competence in Estate Planning and Probate Law in 1978. He was a partner in a number of law firms over his long career, including many years with Masquelette, Bailey, Donisi & Haynes, and over 35 years with Donisi & Lang, where he practiced law until his passing. The Philip Donisi Student Lounge and Breezeway at the University of Houston Law Center were dedicated by his alma mater in his honor in December of 2011. In addition to his legal practice, he was a founder in 1998 of the legal clinics now operated by the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program with faculty and students of the University of Houston Law Center, Texas Southern University School of Law, and South Texas College of Law to provide wills and estate planning services to those in need. He considered his professional licenses and abilities to be privileges that came with a responsibility to be shared, and was inducted as a Member of the Pro Bono College of the State Bar of Texas, the highest honor given for providing pro bono legal services, every year since the inception of the College in 1992. An incredibly giving person, Philip served on countless civic and philanthropic boards, including the Medallion Foundation, which he and others established to further the goals of his dear friend Hubert S. Finkelstein. He was devoted to civil rights and social justice, and never forgot his humble upbringing. When an effort was made to exclude an African-American child from playing baseball in the River Oaks Little League, and local, regional and state league officials buckled rather than allow the child to participate, he took over as President of the River Oaks Little League to personally ensure the child could fully participate alongside his own son. The result furthered the integration of little leagues across Texas - while forcing Philip to master the rules of baseball. Long a regular on the running trails around Rice University and Memorial Park, Philip was an avid marathon runner who finished a few, but told stories of finishing many more - if not for the inclement weather or poor course condition. It is rumored - but never proven - that he may have taken a shortcut to the finish line more than once. Ever the optimist, he was blessed with a deep curiosity and insatiable spirit, quick with an encouraging word, a smile and a dose of dry wit. More than anything, he enjoyed the love and company of his friends and family, especially his grandchildren.
Preceded in death by his father, Joseph Dante Donisi, his mother, Louise Haeseler Donisi, his sister, Angela Caroline Donisi, and granddaughter, Eva Alessandra Donisi. Survived by his loving wife of over 55 years, Beatrice Bednar Donisi of Houston; brothers, Thomas Emilio Donisi and wife Julie Marek Donisi of Dallas, Martin Aloysius Donisi, Mario Gerard Donisi and wife Kathleen Stafford, and Arthur Vincent Donisi and wife Sally Campbell Donisi; sisters, Mary Patricia Donisi, Suzanne Josephine Donisi, and Josephine Francesca Cabrini Donisi, all of Houston; son, John Philip Donisi and wife Gina Hinojosa, grandsons Matteo Amador Donisi and Pablo Leonardo Donisi, all of Austin; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank the staff of the Coronary Care Unit of the Dr. Michael E. DeBakey Institute of the Methodist Hospital for their excellent care. A celebration of Philip Donisi's life will be held at St. Thomas High School (4500 Memorial Drive) on Sunday, March 18, 2012, with a Memorial Mass celebrated in the Chapel at 11:00 a.m. and a reception at Mary Moody Hall at Noon. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in honor of Philip Donisi to the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program Fund, check payable to the Houston Bar Foundation, 1001 Fannin, Suite 1300, Houston, Texas, 77002, Attn: Kay Sim.