Name: Calling hours for Donald A. Pisati
Start: 2020-07-21T19:00:00.000Z
End: 2020-07-21T23:00:00.000Z
Location: Windsor Locks Funeral Home

Donald A. Pisati, 75, beloved husband, father, Papa, coach, and teacher, entered eternal rest on Thursday, July 16, 2020, surrounded by his loving family.

Donald was born on Oct. 19, 1944, the loving son of Antonio and Louisa (Villanova) Pisati. He was a proud, lifelong resident of Windsor Locks. Besides his family, Don had a passion for teaching, coaching, mentoring, and touching the lives of so many. Don took this passion and pursued an education in the field, graduating from the University of Bridgeport in 1966 with a bachelor's degree in physical education. In 1967 he received a master's degree from Fairfield University in guidance and a sixth-year certificate in administration and supervision from Central Connecticut University in 1990.

Donald enjoyed a long career of 41 years teaching physical education at Carmen Arace School in Bloomfield. He also served for 10 years as the athletic director and student coordinator at the Metropolitan Learning Center. Coaching was a great passion for Don. He served as the head varsity basketball coach at Enfield High School for 10 years, along with coaching Bloomfield High School's basketball team for nine years, baseball for 19 years, and being the assistant coach of the football team for five years. Don also coached junior varsity soccer and baseball under great friend, Danny Sullivan at Windsor Locks High School. Don most recently was a proud assistant coach in the East Granby Travel Basketball program with his son, Andrew.

In addition to his coaching accomplishments, Don has been a member of the Connecticut High School Coaches Association for 49 years. During that time he has served in numerous capacities. From 1985 to 1992 he served on the CIAC Boys Basketball Committee, serving as its chairman from 1989–1991. In 2005-2006, Don served as president of the Connecticut High School Coaches Association. In 2006, he received the CIAC Merit Award presented for many years of distinguished service to high school athletics in Connecticut.

Despite all of his considerable athletic achievements both as an athlete and as a coach, Don considers his family to be the best achievement of his life. Don's grandkids were his world and his most cherished gift. He and Bonnie traveled all over the state and beyond to be at all of their games and events. When not supporting his grandchildren's athletic careers, Don could be found gathering with his guys for breakfast, playing terrible golf with friends or spending quality time with his family on Cape Cod.

Don is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Bonnie Pisati of Windsor Locks; two children, Christina Baril and her husband, William, of Suffield and Andrew Pisati and his wife, Bethany, of East Granby; and five grandchildren, Rylie, Logan, and Colin Baril, and Jackson and Myles Pisati.

Relatives and friends are invited to join the family for calling hours on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Windsor Locks Funeral Home, 441 Spring St., Windsor Locks. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, at St. Mary Church, 42 Spring St., Windsor Locks, followed by burial at St. Mary Cemetery. A procession will gather at the funeral home at 9 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Donate Life, 701 East Byrd St., 16th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219.

To leave online condolences please visit

www.windsorlocksfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Journal Inquirer from Jul. 20 to Jul. 24, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Donald Pisati

13 Entries

Linda Morrell

August 17, 2020

We are so very sorry to hear about Don. Our prayers are with all of you!

Eileen Perry

July 27, 2020

Don was one of the nicest people I ever knew. We went to school together and he was certainly a lot of fun and was always so nice. I remember going to his parents home on Church Street and they were just so nice. Don and Bonnie were the best friends and what a wonderful couple they were. I just remember what good friends we all were and all the fun times we all had. I just can't say enough about Don and Bonnie and their wonderful family.

George Simonian

July 22, 2020

Don and I started teaching together in the late 60s and ended up retiring together 35 years later. Don was well respected by both students and faculty. Whenever someone mentioned the word gentleman, they were talking about Don. Over the years that we golfed together, Don advised me to take up bowling. Every year, a group of teachers went to Cape Cod for a little year end golf vacation. To my detriment, I never once followed his advice. I probably would have been just as bad at bowling. After reirement, a group of us met frequently for breakfast and caught up with family affairs. It was so nice to hear how much he loved his family and how proud he was of all of them. I will sincerely miss my friend Don. George Simonian

Colleen Kerrigan Ryan

July 21, 2020

My heart is broken for the family and friends of this wonderful man. So many years ago he gave me my first job at Suburban and was always patient, kind and fun! I am grateful to have known him! Please accept my heartfelt condolences

Steve Poirot

July 21, 2020

Dear Bonnie-
Mary and I are deeply saddened by Don's passing. I was grateful to Suburban for a lot of things, but none so much as bringing me together with Don. Memories of some of that "terrible golf" early in the morning, the breakfasts that followed, the pow wows at the table in the snack bar ("time to make the tuna fish!"), and the Volvo without a floor - all of these I will cherish. May he rest in peace.
Much love,
Steve and Mary Poirot

Karen Baggish Feigelis

July 20, 2020

Dear Bonnie
I am heartbroken to hear about this. I have so many fond memories of Pisat. It was like he held our hands following us from elementary school through high school and beyond. I also had the pleasure of seeing him when he was at Suburban Swim Club and keeping our connection alive. He was the sweetest most caring man. My condolences to you and your family. Keep all your wonderful memories close to your heart. May his memory be a blessing

Danny Rosenthal

July 20, 2020

I seemed to follow Don where he was my Gym Teacher at the former J.P. Vincent School, to the Bloomfield Middle School and finally the High School. He was a great person and Teacher. Don May Your Memory Always Be A Blessing. Rest in peace.

Jean Glazier

July 20, 2020

My sincere sympathy to the Pisati family. I knew his parents as they lived in the elderly housing on Grove St. when I was the Executive Director of the Windsor Locks Housing Authority. So sorry for your loss.

Paul and Lois Lodola

July 20, 2020

Dear Bonnie and Family:
We are deeply saddened to read about your loss of Don.
We regret that we are unable to attend in person to express our sympathies.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during these difficult times.
Sincerely, Paul and Loie

Shirley goldstein

July 19, 2020

dear Bonnie. Broken hearted , Don was such a special guy, great guy to al and I as well
As jeff and steve. Our thoughts are with you and your children at this very difficult time. Don will be missed by the Goldsteins for sure.

Donald Pesci

July 19, 2020

Some people, not everyone, live in the hearts and minds of those whose lives they have touched. Pisati and I did manage to get into some harmless trouble together in High School, for the oddest of reasons. French class was taught by a Mr. Dugas, who arranged student alphabetically. There arent too many Dons in the world, but Dugas had two of them his classroom seated behind each other Pesci and Pisati, good thing too because he was much better at languages than I. He will be in my prayers tonight, and always in my mind. We Windsor Lockers cherish our undying friendships.

Jim Griffin

July 18, 2020

Bonnie and family;
Donald and I became friends at the age of six and remained so through the years. Although life took us down different paths we remained friends and would occasionally encounter each other in a golf setting. Dons life was rightfully centered around Bonnie , their children and grandchildren and his career. All of us who knew him were privileged and
are better for it. God Speed my friend and God Bless your family.

Marci Glazier Brody

July 18, 2020

Dear Mrs. Pisati and Family
I so saddened by the passing of your beloved Mr. P. I have such wonderful memories that I will cherish always. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time.

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