Dominic Donato
elevated XawTS April 5, 1936 ~ January 15, 2026
elevated XawTS Visitation
Tuesday, January 20, 2026 from 2:00 – 6:00 pm
Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, Ontario, L3T 3Z6
elevated XawTS Celebration of Life
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Words of Remembrance to be spoken at 6:15 pm
Bayview Golf & Country Club
25 Fairway Heights Drive, Thornhill, Ontario L3T 3X1
elevated XawTS Cremation
Private
elevated XawTS Obituary
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Dominic Donato in his 90th year.
elevated XawTS Dominic is survived by his loyal wife of 62 years, Marilyn, and his four children, Susanne (Vike), Diana (Irene), Peter (Robyn), and Lisa (Tim). Fondly referred to as Papa by his children—and by just about anyone else who met him—he will also be lovingly remembered as Nonno by his 6 grandchildren Anna, Evan, Dominic, Zoë, Phoebe, and Ivy.
elevated XawTS Dominic is survived by his brother, Andre, and was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Josephine, and his siblings, Antoinette, Benny, Pietro, Lidia, and Maria.
elevated XawTS Born in the village of Fardella, municipality of Potenza, in the Basilicata region of Italy in April 1936, Dominic became a master carpenter during his youth. At the age of 17, he travelled by boat to Halifax Harbour and made his way to Toronto, Canada. It was in Toronto that he built a life rooted in hard work, family, and community. Dominic founded Metro Railing Limited, which he proudly owned and operated for 52 years.
elevated XawTS He was a longtime member of Bayview Golf and Country Club, where he and Marilyn formed long-standing friendships. He will be remembered for sharing his homemade wine on the golf course, long nights spent in the card room, and playing the role of Santa Claus for 25 years. Dominic was a devout soccer enthusiast and lifelong fan of Juventus. He was also a Toronto FC season ticket-holder and enjoyed attending many games with his family. But above all, he lived to see his beloved Azzurri lift the World Cup 4 times.
elevated XawTS Dominic took great pride and meticulous care in his home, garden, and wine making, but most of all in his family and friends.
elevated XawTS Our last treasured memory was spending Christmas at home, surrounded by family, where he imparted one final gift and spoke with quiet wisdom about the value of patience in a marriage, the strength found in standing together, and a reminder that a family is not bought, but lovingly built over time.
elevated XawTS In the last months of his life, Dominic was showered with love and support from his family and close friends. He will be dearly missed and forever remembered for his bright blue eyes, big warm smile, sharp memory, his storytelling, generosity, and genuine love of life.
elevated XawTS In lieu of flowers, please thank and show gratitude to those who work tirelessly in healthcare. Our family would like to extend a special thank you to Markham Stouffville, Humber River, and North York General Hospitals, as well as Hawthorne Rehabilitation and Chartwell Gibson Retirement Home for their extraordinary care, support, and dedication. Pour a glass of red wine in memory of Dominic, salute.
Hi Aunt Marilyn, Suzanne,
Peter,Diana. and Lisa
So sorry to hear of Uncle Dominic’s passing. He was a good man.
I wish you all strength in the next coming days
Take care
Dorothy, Jason, Claudia and Adrian
Thank you very much xo
Lots of condolences for all family .From Maricela + Michael Legris.
Our condolences to Aunt Marilyn, Suzanne,
Peter, Diana and Lisa and all the Donato’s. What a wonderful man Uncle Dominic was, lived an enviable life and had the most amazing smile. He will be missed.
The Mahoneys from Miane
Thank you Chris xo
Thank you
Our deepest condolences to the entire family. What a gentle soul is will always remain. Much love from the Scott Family xo
My sincere condolences to the family. One of my fondest memories as a child was Dominic being Santa Clause at the Bayview’s Children Christmas Party. He was a very nice and kind man.
Thank you Andrea
Riposa in Pace, signor Donato 💐❤️
My sincerest Condolences to the entire family .
Thank you Irene
Marilyn, Susanne, Diana, Peter & Lisa, I’m sending My deepest sympathy to you and the family, Dominic was such an amazing man. May his memory be eternal
Thank you Fefe xo
Sincere condolences to Marilyn and family.
May your memories help you find peace.
Thank you
Domenic was loved by everyone. He had that very rare personality
that endeared him to all who met him. He will be missed.
Riposa in pace , signor Donato 💐❤️
My sincerest condolences to the entire family.
Thank you so much
My deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers for the family at this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace.
Thank you Karen xo
Dear Marilyn, Suzanne, Peter, Diana and Lisa,
Please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of Dominic . He was a dear friend to Bill and I, and we shared many meals, glasses of wine and wonderful evenings over the years. Know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Rosemary Foley
Thank you Rosemary
È difficile esprimere in una lingua non propria le tante sfumature della emozione lasciata dalla notizia della dipartita di uno zio come lo Zio Domenico, pertanto uso la mia, l’italiano. Ricordo da sempre, da quando ero piccolo, Domenico per la sua giovialità, per la sua vitalità, per la sua semplicità nel voler assaporare la vita. Dispiace saper di non poter più sentire le sue parole in quella che era una lingua tutta sua, un po’ italiano e un po’ inglese, soprattutto fardellese, ma nel cuore resterà sempre vivo il ricordo del suo viso tondo e dagli occhi vispi, capace di sguardi curiosi e sempre attenti a cogliere ogni messaggio dal proprio interlocutore. Un abbraccio grande caro zio Domenico.
Grazie Pino xo Baci
Diana my sincerest sympathies for your loss. It’s so hard to say goodbye. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Sending you lots of love. Pina
Sincere condolences to Marilyn and family. Lots of wonderful memories of Dominic on and off the golf course.
Warren, Deborah and Stephanie
I spoke to Dominic at my sister Fran Peake’s visitation November 2024 and was glad to renew a St. Anthony’s YPC acquaintance after many years. What dancers he and Marilyn (from my hometown Peterborough I believe) were.
My sympathy and prayers to you Marilyn, and all your family during this sad time.
Thank you so much
Thank you Warren
Condolences to Diana & family.
Dear Marilyn Just reading this sad news, I;m so sorry for all the family as you mourn the loss of this wonderful husband and father. Love Dorothy.
On behalf of the Basilicata Cultural Society of Canada, we extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences on the passing of a wonderful husband, father, nonno, and dear friend.
May the cherished memories you shared bring comfort to your hearts and smiles to your faces in the days ahead.
With our sincere sympathy,
Basilicata Cultural Society of Canada
Thank you so much
My deepest condolences to Marilyn, Susanne, and the entire family on the passing of your dear husband, father, and grandfather, Domenic. Although our lives only crossed for a few short years, I have the fondest memories of your lovely family and the warmth of your home. I was invited to your house several times between 1986 and 1989 through Susanne, and those visits have stayed with me all these years. I loved the energy in your house — so welcoming and full of life and laughter. I still smile thinking about the Italian gelato Susanne offered us — two huge tubs, tucked in the deep freezer that Domenic had somehow secured! I had never seen anything like that before, and it felt so generous and joyful. Another time, Domenic let us taste his cubanelle peppers, cooked to perfection. This may sound funny, but I still think about how delicious they were, even after all these years. Life eventually carried Susanne and me in different directions, as it does, but I have never forgotten her kindness during those first difficult months after my separation. I never properly thanked Susanne and your family for the warmth and generosity you showed me at a time when I needed it most. Please know that it meant more than I could say back then, and it has stayed with me. Rest in eternal peace, Domenic. What a beautiful life he curated — full of family, friends, laughter, and lasting memories.
Rockie,
Thank you so very much for such a beautiful memory of not only our time together, but of our father. Although we are missing him greatly, special memories such as yours have truly lifted our spirits. It is a reminder of just how profound an impact we all can make on one another as long as we have time on this earth. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.xo