Joseph T. Donato

I will miss Joe. Miss his stories about his children, Italy, and music. Miss his humor which always brought such fun to our conversations. Above all, I will miss his kindness which guided his actions and words. I am grateful to have known him and known his light. My deepest sympathies to the entire Donato family, especially Henrietta, Joe's "Hen," his best friend and life partner.

So many of my young memories are intertwined with this wonderful man. He was a mentor, a friend, and a guiding influence in my life. High school band was such a joy! It was through him I learned to sing and dance as we did so many wonderful summer musicals together! The memories are still so clear and cherished. My love goes out to Henrietta and all the family.

Joe made my 37 working years in Avon a happy time. He was a joy to know. Condolences to the family. Shirley Wilkinson

A true gentleman whom I was honored to know during my years at Avon PD. Rest in peace!

Mr. Donato was not just our teacher, but our friend. He was sometimes also a "parent" to some of us. His kindness and graciousness great humor and treating us like the little adults that we hoped we would be... Respecting us and yet guiding us... I love him and I cherish The memories. He was a once in a lifetime person for so many of us to know. A gift. I reconnected with Jimmy just a couple of weeks ago... And we were supposed to get together when I was in New York, doing the comiccon, but we weren´t able to. Honestly, my heart goes out to him and his family but really to all of the avon high school family. The thing is... He did so much for all of us that he will always be with us.

What an incredible Gem of af a talent and man!!

During my years at AHS I have special memories of the summer musicals and the Christmas cantata we did, Song of Christmas, that was professionally recorded one year and also on the radio.
Mr Donato was an inspiration to so many!

Mr. Donato put music in my heart and soul throughout my time in the Avon High School band. Sooo many wonderful memories. My love of music has been a lifelong adventure. My condolences to the Donato family.

Hi Jimmy. I am sorry to hear about his passing and want you to know that he was the very best of men. He left me a better person, because he taught the value of music. He showed what dedication means. He made us do better, always with joy in his heart. I have so many "favorite" memories of him. One that stands out is sitting and listening to him Mr. McMahon riffed on the guitar and piano. He showed why music was important. A gift I appreciate to this day. O

I have such fond memories of AHS band with Mr Donato. He was a gentle and kind man with extraordinary talent and vision. So many of us excelled in music because of his attention to the talent we innately had and taught us to appreciate it and love our experiences we shared together with our friends and peers. I loved the summer productions, going to band and chorus with Mr McMahon and the exchange trips and concerts were always fun and enjoyable. Great times were had by all. Sending prayers, condolences and hugs to the Donato family and the Avon music family as a whole.

I was lucky enough to be a student of Mr Donato. I played the flute starting in 4th grade, was in chorus and several summer productions. What a leader!! Thank you.

My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Joseph Donato. What a wonderful teacher he was! My maiden name was Madelaine Rembock and Joe Donato was my music teacher from 7th to 12th grade - from the first year he began teaching at Avon High School. He recognized and nurtured my talent for which I´m forever grateful. When I was 14, I sang Anna in the "King and I" in the first summer music program. I learned the clarinet so I could play in the high school band. Because of Joe, I had the confidence to become a professional singer. The photo I posted was taken at my mother´s 90th birthday party. Joe accompanied me on guitar.

Sincere sympathy to the whole Donato family. Yes Joe is an Avon Icon!

Jackie (Carr) Levesque
Sincere condolences to his family. Mr. Donato was a great teacher and person. I have fond memories of him at Avon High School.

My sincere condolences to the entire Donato family. He was such a kind teacher, man and neighbor! I had him as a teacher and knew him outside of his job as my grandparents neighbor. Growing up, my family spent a lot of time at my grandparents house on Lawerence Ave. and I can remember always hearing music coming from the Donato´s house as someone was always practicing their instrument or playing for fun. My grandmother would sit on her screened in porch and listen all the time. She once told me she believed it was the happiest house in the neighborhood because only beautiful music was played there and I will always cherish those memories.
I´m sorry for your loss and will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Linda (Battistoni) Dillon

My sincere condolences to the entire Donato family. He was such a kind teacher, man and neighbor! I had him as a teacher and knew him outside of his job as my grandparents neighbor. Growing up, my family spent a lot of time at my grandparents house on Lawerence Ave. and I can remember always hearing music coming from the Donato´s house as someone was always practicing their instrument or playing for fun. My grandmother would sit on her screened in porch and listen all the time. She once told me she believed it was the happiest house in the neighborhood because only beautiful music was played there and I will always cherish those memories.
I´m sorry for your loss and will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Linda (Battistoni) Dillon

I only knew Mr. Donato briefly when I worked at Roaring Brook School. He was a gentle soul.
Kathie Plude

As a former student and beneficiary of his creation of band and musical theater programs in Avon - and neighbor in Avon - Mr. Donato is greatly appreciated and thoughts to his family!

A life well lived. So many of us are happy to say, Thank you, Joe, for all that you did."

Your love of music inspired generations of Avon students, and your melody lives on in us all.

Mr. Donato ....you made such a difference in my life.
"A Whole New World" to explore in music. I still play the clarinet. Marianne Lee (Memme Kilgore)