Obituary of Anthony Donato

Anthony “Sonny” Donato, 78, of Cedarville passed away on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at his home under the care of Hospice and his family. Born in Bridgeton and raised in Cedarville to the late Nicholas F. Donato and Amelia Rudi Donato, he was the husband of Mary Cassidy Donato. Anthony had resided in Cedarville most of his life except from 1965-1970 when he resided in Bridgeton. Prior to his retirement he had worked as a Union Millwright for Local 121 in Vineland for 27 years. Before that he had worked at Owen's Illinois Glass Co. in Bridgeton and Miletta Bros. in Cedarville. He was a member of the Parish of the Holy Cross-St. Michael's Church in Cedarville. Anthony was a long time member (September 1973-until December 2015 when he became exempt) of the Cedarville Fire Department-Station 17 where he served as Assistant Chief and Chief. He was also one of the go-to men at the fire house to fix or build anything that was required. He had designed the generator trailer and one of the area's first mobile scott air pack refilling stations for the department. He was also a member of the 5th Ward Athletic Club, the Dorothy Rod and Gun Club, the Cedarville Recreation Committee and a life member of the Cumberland County Fire Chief's Association. Anthony served the community as a coach for 14 years at the South Cumberland Little League and had coached the Husted's Landing team. He also enjoyed woodworking and had built many poker tables and had remodeled most of the wood finishing in his own home. His family described him as a dedicated father and grandfather, who loved spending time with his grandchildren making homemade pasta and attending all of their various sporting events. Anthony looked forward to hosting the family's Pig Roasts and visits to the Jersey Shore. He also loved to play poker and golf. Anthony had a great sense of humor and will be truly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by; his wife, Mary Cassidy Donato of Cedarville; his children, Anthony Donato, Jr. (Kellie Lloyd), Natalie Donato of Cedarville, Michael Donato (Denise Maffei) and Michele Meddings (Donald) all of Cedarville; his grandchildren, Jackie, Zachary, Alyssa, Christina, Juliana, Jarrett, Cody and Paige; his great-grandchildren, Damien, Jaelyn and Rylan; his sister, Nora Sutton (Donald) of Hopewell Twp.; his brother in law, Paul Cassidy of Masontown, PA and his sisters in law, Theresa Cassidy and Peggy Colvard both of Uniontown, PA. Besides his parents, Nicholas and Amelia Donato, he was preceded in death by 13 brothers in law and sisters in law. The funeral liturgy will be celebrated at The Parish of the Holy Cross-St. Michael's Church, 367 Main Street, Cedarville on Wednesday, December 22nd at 11 AM. Interment will take place at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Cedarville. Visitations will be held at the PADGETT FUNERAL HOME, 1107 State Highway 77, Upper Deerfield Twp. on Tuesday evening December 21st from 6 PM to 8 PM and on Wednesday morning from 9 AM to 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Anthony's memory to or to Lawrence Twp. EMS, P.O. Box 369, Cedarville, NJ 08311 or to the Cedarville Fire Department Station 17, P.O. Box 400, Cedarville, NJ 08311. Written condolences can be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.padgettfuneralhomes.com.