Name: Calling hours for Rudy DiDonato
Start: 2019-01-04T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2019-01-05T00:45:00.000Z
Location: Anthony Funeral Homes, Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel

Rudy DiDonato

THEN AND NOW

Rudy DiDonato was 85 when he passed away surrounded by his loving family. He ended the year peacefully and entered into eternal rest on December 31, 2018, after a life devoted to family, faith, and service to others.

Rudy's life will be celebrated with calling hours at Anthony Funeral Home, 1990 South Main Street, Akron, Ohio, on Friday, January 4, 2019, from 3 p.m. until 7:45 p.m., with a K of C Rosary to follow. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Paul's Catholic Church, 1580 Brown Street, Akron, Ohio, on Saturday, January 5, 2019, at 12:30 p.m. Burial will immediately follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. In honor of Rudy's commitment to charity, donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the DiDonato Family Scholarship Fund at the University of Akron; St. Paul's Catholic Church; or to the Akron Serra Club for the benefit of Borromeo seminarians.

What a very sweet ("Dolce") life. Salute!

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

Published by Akron Beacon Journal on Jan. 4, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Rudy DiDonato

Sponsored by Akron Beacon Journal.

41 Entries

Sue Corsetti

January 10, 2019

To all the DiDonatos & extended family,
Rudy will be missed and never forgotten for all the good he did here on earth. He was always striving to serve anyone in need. I always felt the closeness and welcome that your extended to me and consider you my 2nd family. Life will not be the same without him. The bible verse below is what Rudy is all about:
Matthew 25:21: His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' Faith, Family, and Service is truly the anthem he lived by that you shared at his funeral and it was evident by all the lives he touched.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult and sad time.
Love,
Sue Corsetti

Dennis Chambers

January 6, 2019

Joe,

Your father sounds like he was a wonderful man. I would have liked to meet him. You and your family are in my prayers

Dennis Chambers

Jona Rohrs

January 6, 2019

Becky and Family: Rudy was/is a wonderful guy and he will be missed. May your memories of him bring a smile to your face!

January 6, 2019

Dear Patti and family:
So sorry to her of your loss of Rudy. You are in our prayers and thoughts.
He was a great person.
Our sincere sympathy to you and your family.
Carl & Edith Ritch - Warren, OH

Lisa Burkhart-Myers

January 5, 2019

Deepest sympathies to the DiDonato family. Mr. DiDonato was a favorite at Ellet high school. He will be greatly missed.

Steve Carter

January 5, 2019

I remember Rudy from the time he came to Garfield to my drafting program to have me and my students do some design work on the pizzelle iron. He was a very good hearted and talented person. A few years later, my wife, Kathleen (Domonkas) Carter and I have had the pleasure of working with John for the past several years as teachers at Garfield. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Steve & Kathy Carter

Nancy Smith

January 4, 2019

Eugene and Family So sorry for your loss my thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family.

Joe & Teresa Latona

January 4, 2019

Patti & Family;

Our deepest sympathy;

Sincerely,

Joe & Teresa

Lynn Rohner Werab

January 4, 2019

So sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. DiDonato. I have not seen him seen him in many years. He was always my favorite teacher at Garfield and I will never forget him. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Lynn Rohner Werab

Karla Maple

January 4, 2019

My deepest sympathy to this wonderful family. Ellet was a richer place with his guidance. Class of 81.

Eternal Friendship Remembrance Bouquet - VASE INCLUDED

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Diane Dolecki (Tawney)

January 4, 2019

My sympathy to the DiDonato family.

January 4, 2019

I am so sad and sorry to read of Mr. Didonato passing. He was one of my favorite teachers at garfield back in the early 60s. We recently reconnected and was good to speak with him.

Joan Beach

January 4, 2019

I worked with his sister JoAnne Staats at the Summit County Chapter of the American Red Cross. She was also a very pretty girl. My sympathy goes out to his family and friends.

Leanne Bartholet

January 3, 2019

Truly a beautiful tribute to a life well lived and in service to others. My deepest sympathy to the family. Mr. DiDonato was a wonderful man. ~ Leanne Nicholas' Bartholet, EHS Class of 1984

maria gilley

January 3, 2019

My condolences to the family. I'm sure you don't need me to tell you the good man he was. Thanks Mr.D for all the good you've done for me and the world. R.I.P

michelle meckler

January 3, 2019

To the family so sorry to hear of your loss. Mr D as I called him was so supportive of me and our family at Ellet. He always supported our atheletic events sold tickets before the games and could not of asked for a better man. My thoughts to your family and prayers may God Bless you all in the time to come. There will never be a better counselor mentor or person than Mr. D. God Bless .
The Meckler Family,
Michelle Meckler class of 84

Candice Pinion

January 3, 2019

Rudy was a wonderful, kind, and giving man. I will always remember him for his kindness and selflessness. He made the world a much better place. I'll never forget him for he has made a life long impact and inspiration on me. My brother also truly respected Rudy, looked up to him and enjoyed just chatting with him. May he rest in eternal peace.

Candice Pinion (daughter of Susan Cymbor and sister to the late CJ Novak)

Sally (Patton) Spears

January 3, 2019

To Mrs. D, Lori, Becky, and all the family - you have my sympathy in the loss of such a great husband and father. You were blessed indeed, and that will make his absence even harder to bear. He and his wife raised a wonderful family. God bless you.

Susan Cymbor

January 3, 2019

I will dearly miss you Rudy. You made such a difference in my life and you were such a wonderful influence to my son CJ, who always looked forward to your time together. I will miss seeing you drive down the street in your blue van and stopping to say hello to me and CJ. Rest In Peace. My prayers to your family.

Bob Smith

January 3, 2019

My condolences to the DiDanato family, there will never be another Rudy. What fun we had at Firestone, always great conversation on any topic. Special condolences to my friend Eugene, it was a special time the likes of Akron will never see again.

January 3, 2019

Rudy was nothing short of a character. It was good times at Firestone with Rudy and Eugene. Rudy always laughed at my Thistledown routine in the 3rd floor lockeroom with a ghost buyerclaiming Rudy's horse for a 55 rusted out Ford. It was all in fun and Rudy always had a smirk.

My deepest condolences Eugeneand DiDanato

tom thompson

January 3, 2019

RIP, Mr DiDonato. Rudy you were always helpful when you were my Councillor at EHS.
I am glad I got to meet you 45 years later as an adult with at least a somewhat equal standing of life experiences. I knew you worked two jobs years ago because my father worked with you at FT&R many years ago. Your story from your obituary, is truly inspiring. Tom Thompson EHS class of 1968

Gregg Heard

January 3, 2019

John and the rest of the Didinato family. I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of your father (Mr D)

My life, and I'm sure thousands of others coming through Ellet High School was shaped by his wisdom and influence.

John & Carolyn Austin

January 3, 2019

So sorry to Eugene and Bonnie and the Didonato family for your loss.
He was a great man who left behind a wonderful legacy.

Patti

January 3, 2019

Mr. DiDonato was my counselor at Ellet in the 80's. I've never forgotten him, he made an impact on so many. I pray for peace for your family/

Karen Pateos

January 3, 2019

Christine: I am sorry for your loss.

F&D

January 3, 2019

Our sincere condolences to the family. May you find comfort in knowing that God collects our tears and is close to the brokenhearted ready to comfort us in our moment of need - Psalm 56:8.

Kimberly Maglione-Zeman

January 3, 2019

Rudy was so dear and special to Rick and I. We loved talking with him and visiting with him! He told me many stories of his life's experiences that were interesting and entertaining. He was so kind to us and we are forever grateful to call him our friend. We've had some great times with him. We have prayed for him to recover his health - and we offer our heartfelt sympathies for the loss of such a dear man. He always greeted me with a big smile and always told me Us Italians have to stick together! We cared a lot for him and we will miss him. What a great life he had! God bless him for his goodness and kindness. May you have abundant comfort in your happy memories!

Sherry Sarvis

January 3, 2019

Rudy D....Mr. "D", oh how you impacted the lives of the students of Ellet High School.You weren't even my counselor, alphabetically speaking, yet your gentle, kind, mentoring spirit made you my counselor. I looked forward to seeing you in the hallways in between classes. You were "highly observant" of all things. :) Heaven gained an angel from earth, that's for sure. Condolences to his family and friends. His memory is eternal. Thanks for the memories Mr. D! Well done my good and faithful servant. Welcome to heaven....

Marie Filaseta Stanley

January 3, 2019

I am so sad and sorry to read of Mr. Didonato's passing. Recently reconnected with him and we talked about him being my teacher at garfield and other memories. He was one of my favorite teachers.

LaNeita Cuthrell Williams

January 3, 2019

Mr. DiDonato was the boy's counselor when I was a student at Ellet from Sept. 1965 until our graduation on 6-6-68. I saw him as a VERY caring and helpful educator. Years later, when invited to our amazing class reunions, he always came to see us and catch up with our lives. Life well lived Sir, life well lived. RIP

Denise & Joe Bauer

January 3, 2019

Our condolences to the DiDonato family. What a tribute to a good man.

Sue Becker

January 3, 2019

A good man, a gentleman, a fun-loving spirit has passed. I send deepest sympathy to Patti, the family and all who loved Rudy. I look back fondly at the years we were Ellet counselor colleagues. He will be missed by many.

January 3, 2019

A good man, a gentleman, a fun-loving spirit has passed. He will be missed by many. I send my deepest sympathy to Patti, the family and all who loved him. I look back fondly at the years we spent as Ellet High counselor colleagues.
Sue Becker

Carol Bradshaw

January 3, 2019

I was fortunate to have Mr. DiDonato as my guidance counselor at Ellet high school. He encouraged strength, responsibility, hard work & fun. Praying and thinking of his family at this difficult time and wishing you all comfort and peace.

Michael McCarty

January 3, 2019

I remember Mr. DiDonato from Ellet High School and as mentioned here he made an impact on a lot of students. I also had the pleasure of having Eugene as my State Farm Agent. My condolences to the family on your loss.

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