Donald J. Nojaim

UTICA - Mr. Donald J. Nojaim passed away, peacefully, with his loving family by his side, on Monday evening, November 10, 2025, at the Siegenthaler Center at Hospice & Palliative Care, New Hartford.

Donald was born on March 16, 1935, in Utica, the son of the late Ferris Daher (b.Kfertay, Lebanon) and Barbara B. Harb (b.Baskinta, Lebanon) Nojaim. He received a Bachelors in Metallurgy from RPI, Troy, NY and an MBA and Masters in Science Education from Syracuse University. Donald served our country with the United States Army. He was united in marriage with Lucille Anne Lalli on March 10, 2000, at St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church, Utica. He was last employed with Special Metals Corporation, New Hartford, as Purchasing Director. Donald retired in 1998. His surprise retirement party was attended by friends and colleagues from around the country. He was highly respected and esteemed by all who worked with him as a man of the highest integrity, honesty, fairness, loyalty and expertise. Although Dad insisted, we not do anything, especially a ""surprise retirement party"", he was truly honored and humbled by all who attended. However, he did remind us, yearly, ""no more surprise parties"". This past March, we were blessed to celebrate his 90th birthday. All who attended wore a button that said, ""I am not here to celebrate Jido's birthday, I am here for the free food"" with a picture of a vanilla cupcake with one candle. He was grateful for all the love that surrounded him with his family & friends.

At 90 years old, Donald lived a life full of love, generosity and service. He was always the one to visit family and friends in nursing homes, check in on neighbors & friends. He showed up for people who needed comfort or company. He built lifelong friendships and maintained them with coffee gatherings, travel, laughter and connection. He was one of the last of his circle of lifelong friends still here; we knew that was something he carried with both gratitude and sadness.

In May of 2021, Donald had a serious medical event; doctors said he would not make it. The next morning, Dr. Nicholas Qandah stepped in and saved his life, for which we will be eternally grateful. Donald was gifted with a miracle and four more years during which he became a great-grandfather - something he never believed he would be. God had granted him more time - and through that time, more opportunities for love, growth and grace.

He is survived by his loving & devoted wife, Lucille. He was the love of her life and best friend - she will sorely miss him until they reunite one day. Also surviving Donald are his three loving and devoted daughters, Diane M. Speer, of Simpsonville SC, Linda B.
Findlay and her husband, Bob, of Simpsonville, SC and Nadine B. Nojaim, of Utica; bonus daughter, Patricia Houck, of Melbourne FL and her daughter, Jackie; grandchildren, Rachel Wise, PhD and her husband, Johnny, of Toledo, OH and Daniel Speer and his partner, Lisa Frick, of Bethany, PA, Dr. Julia Vance and her husband, Stephen, of Simpsonville, SC; great-grandson, Jeremy Finn; and great-granddaughter, Valerie Rose; his nieces, Donna Sergio Neidig and husband, Rich and Carla Sergio; grandnephews and nieces; and many adored cousins and friends.

Donald was predeceased by his sister, Theresa S. Sergio; and his granddaughter, Aubrie Marie Findlay, who Jido is now loving and cuddling in Heaven.

A Mass of the Divine Liturgy will be held at St. Louis Gonzaga Church, with Father Boutros El Hachem, celebrating the Maronite Funeral Mass and Celebration of Life on March 16, 2025, at 11 a.m. A Mercy Meal will follow. Final interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Utica. There are no public calling hours.

For anyone wishing to, please consider donations to Hospice & Palliative Care, 4277 Middle Settlement Rd., New Hartford, NY 13413. A special thank you to the caregivers at Hospice, who provided him with comfort and excellent care and all the family and friends who visited with Donald during this difficult time.

Funeral care and planning have been entrusted to the family's long time special friend, Kevin E. Enea, with Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, Ilion, NY. His obituary may be viewed on the funeral home website by visiting www.eneafamily.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family, in memory of Donald J. Nojaim, please visit our flower store.