Don J. Provenzano

1917 - 2018

January 15, 1917 - April 16, 2018
Don J. (Joseph) Provenzano, passed away peacefully on April 16, 2018, lovingly surrounded by his daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren and their spouses, great-grandchildren and friends.

He was born in Rochester, New York to Peter and Jenni Bondi Provenzano who both immigrated from Sicily in the early 1900's. Don was the 4th of 7 children and is only survived by his 95 year-old "baby sister", Connie Sirianni, who now lives with family in Chicago, Illinois.

Don served our country during WWII as a proud soldier in the Army's 2nd Infantry Division. He landed on Omaha Beach on the second day of the Normandy Invasion and fought in numerous battles (including the Battle of the Bulge) in France, Germany and Belgium.

At the end of the war in 1945, Don returned home to marry his beloved wife of 35 years, Pauline, whom he met when he was stationed at Fort Sam Houston Army Base in San Antonio, Texas. Presently, he is a lifetime member of the American Legion, Alamo Post No. 2.

Don was a self-taught trumpet player who fashioned his sound after that of his idol, Harry James. Throughout the years, he played for top performers including Patty Paige, Dinah Shore, Gypsy Rose Lee and John Gary. Don also played in the Army Marching Band and Jazz Band and frequently played "Taps" for fallen comrades at the same cemetery where he will be laid to rest. When he moved his family to San Antonio, Texas in 1964, he was the lead trumpet player for The San Antonians and periodically sat in with numerous local bands including Chris Stark's German Band, Paul Elizondo's Orchestra and Jim Cullum's Happy Jazz Band, especially during Hemisphere '68 and annual Fiesta celebrations.

He was also a self-taught carpenter/contractor and spent over 40 years of his life building homes and completing room additions and repairs.
He retired on the investment income he made by buying, renovating and selling property; a career he engaged in long before the term "flipping real estate" was even created!

While Don has been wheelchair-bound since a hip fracture in 2014, he was relatively healthy and filled his days with small home repairs, tinkering in his tool shed, eating at Luby's, shopping at HEB, watching his favorite T.V. shows ("Forensic Files" and Spurs games) and spending precious time with his family.

Since he was in his 90's, people frequently asked Don how he had managed to live so long, look much younger than his age and enjoy good health. He was always eager to share his wisdom: "Work hard. Love the work you're doing. Don't get fat. Don't smoke. Don't drink. No womanizing. Marry a good woman and thank God every day!"

God has indeed blessed Don with many talents and achievements. The greatest of these was Don's deep devotion to and love for his family. For over seven decades, his family has experienced this love on a daily basis. It is the physical absence of this which creates such a void in our lives. However, this same love, which is ever-present in the lives of those he has touched, turns this time of profound loss and grief into one of joy and celebration.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, five of his siblings, former son-in-law Allen R. Kassner, dear wife Pauline Foster Provenzano and their little angel daughter, Diane.

Celebrating his life and cherishing his memories are his daughters Janet P. Grant and her husband Thomas M. Grant, Lucille P. Kassner and Donna P. Canales and her husband Gilberto A. Canales, Jr.

He is also survived by 8 grandchildren and their spouses, 12 great grandchildren and another precious great-granddaughter on the way.

Visitation will be held at Mission Park North Chapel on Sunday, May 6th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Mass will be celebrated at this same location on Monday, May 7th at 12 noon, followed by a 2:30 p.m. interment with full militaryhonors at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.