Obituary of Anthony James Donnolo Jr.

Anthony James Donnolo, affectionately known as Tony, passed away on April 4, 2025 in Sidney, New York at the age of 83. Born on December 14, 1941 in Brooklyn, New York, Tony's life was a tapestry of dedication, kindness, and faith, leaving a lasting impression on all who had the privilege of knowing him. Tony pursued his education with great fervor, earning a Master's Degree in Social Services, and another in Psychology, from the prestigious Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. His early aspirations led him to the seminary in Maryland where he studied to become a priest. However, he later chose a di?erent path dedicating his life to helping others in the New York City School System where he touched countless lives. It was during a convention to São Paulo, Brazil where he met Sula, who would become his wife. Together they raised their daughter Lila, who now resides in Florida near her mother. In addition to his daughter, Tony is survived by his siblings, Johanna Oliver, Mary-Ann Donnolo, Peter Donnolo, and Elizabeth Bonet and her husband, Angel Bonet. Throughout his life, Tony's compassion and dedication to helping others was evidenced in the many good deeds he performed. Notably, he responded to a call from the NYPD to assist a man in despair, successfully talking him down from a rooftop. Tony moved to Sidney where he bought land which was partially owned by the Department of Conservation Forestry Program. He then bought a house closer to town and proceeded to fix it up … and fix it up … and fix it up... Tony was an avid woodworker and made many items such as tables, chairs, step ladders, utensils for the kitchen, shadowboxes, a rocking horse and bird boxes as well as many other items. He gave some of the items to others because he knew they would like them and needed them. Tony really liked that he had a chance to build a house with his father in Greenwood Lake, New York. After his father died, he took on the role of father to his four siblings. To his last day he watched over them and protected them as best he could so that they could succeed in life and love it as much as he did. He befriended many people in the town of Sidney and surrounding areas, some of whom considered him family and grieve him as such. In his later years, he became very religious and found a church and parishioners who supported his views. He became a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 2937. Everyone who heard his voice when he sang in church considered it a very beautiful voice and tried to get him to join the choir. However, he declined, wanting to spend time doing the thing that he loved the most which was woodworking. That man also loved SciFi and going out to his property and just sitting there looking at the trees and the animals that pass by. He reveled in the surrounding nature and looking at the stars and celestial events at night time from his land. Tony had a cat who died the week before across the entrance of the doorway on the opposite side of the house. A very close friend of his, a man almost like a son to him, kindly buried the cat in the backyard and his family is very grateful for this. Little towns bring out both the worst and the best in people. It seems that Sidney has more of the good side of humanity and his family is grateful for this, knowing that he died in the arms of his town and the people that loved him. If you would like to make a donation to an organization in Tony's name, the family would appreciate it if you would donate to Habitat for Humanity. And thank you so much for your support, thoughts and donations. Services for Tony will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025. Visitation will be held from 8:00am to 9:30am at C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main St. Sidney, NY 13838. Latin Funeral Mass will begin at 10:30am at St. Athanasius Church, 406 Shady Dr. Endwell, NY 13760. Burial will immediately follow in Calvary Cemetery, 501 Fairview Street, Johnson City, NY 13790.