Anthony Dominic DiDonato

Anthony Dominic DiDonato, known to most as "Tony", passed away peacefully December 30, 2021 just a few weeks shy of celebrating his 90th birthday.
Born January 10, 1932, Tony lived his entire life in the Akron area, graduating from Garfield High School in 1950 and the University of Akron in 1954 earning a B.S. in Business Administration.
Tony's life was grounded in and committed to family, faith, and serving others. Being part of a large and opinionated family, Tony was always the voice of reason and to whom the family reached out to for sound advice, knowing that he was always there to listen, give support, and help. He was not a man of many words, but he spoke with the authority of someone who meant what he said and who remained humble and faithful to his convictions.
Certain principles like "work hard, but smart", and "help those in need" guided Tony through his professional life. These beliefs motivated Tony in his youth as a neighborhood paperboy, while in high school and college working at Saveway Grocery, and during his long and successful career as an insurance sales agent for State Farm Insurance for whom he worked for 40 ½ years, earning the status as a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) in 1985. Following retirement, Tony served as an independent investment professional.
Not only could family count on Tony for help and guidance, but so did many community organizations such as Interval Brotherhood Home, Knights of Columbus, and St. Paul's Catholic Church where he for many years served in various leadership roles.
He along with Jane, his wife of 67 years were philanthropists within the Akron community through the sharing of their time, talents and generosity to various causes and organizations, such as IBH, Akron Community Foundation, Knights of Columbus, Open-M, St. Paul's Catholic Church and the University of Akron. Tony's commitment to education led him and Jane in 2020 to establish an endowed scholarship in the College of Business Administration at his U of A alma mater.
In a nod to the State Farm motto "Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there" Tony to was always there to lend a helping hand. He was known as the go- to person if help was needed to organize an event, or sell fundraiser tickets. He could always be counted on to help however needed to ensure success of an event or project.
Tony made many lifelong friends in the course of working, volunteering and serving in the community. Tony enjoyed playing and watching golf, playing cards, rooting for Cleveland sports teams, and travelling the world with Jane. Tony had a penchant for punctuality, and he enjoyed making Italian pizzelles for family events. Retirement did not slow him down, and Tony remained actively committed to sharing time with family friends, and the causes he supported until the very end.
Tony was preceded in death by his loving parents, Leopold and Beatrice DiDonato, his mother-in-law Mary Rowley(Kostelny),his brother Rudy, and sisters Mary and Maxine DiDonato and JoAnne Staats.
He is survived by his wife Jane, his brothers Bobby and Eugene (Bonnie), and his brother-in-law Jerry Kostelny (Diana). He is also survived by 13 nieces and nephews, many great -nieces and great-nephews, extended family, and friends.
Tony's long and purposeful life will be celebrated with calling hours at Anthony Funeral Home, 1990 S Main Street, Akron, Ohio on Monday January 10, 2022 from 4pm-7pm, with rosary at 6:45pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Paul's Catholic Church, 1580 Brown Street, Akron, Ohio on Tuesday January 11, 2022 at 11AM. Burial will immediately follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.
In honor of Tony's commitment to charitable causes, donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Tony and Jane DiDonato Endowed Scholarship at the University of Akron, or St. Paul's Catholic Church.
Well done good and faithful servant. May your memory be a blessing.

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