Obituary of Americo DiDonato

Americo Rick DiDonato 1932-2012 Rick died peacefully on September 25th at Cortland Park Nursing and Rehabilitation facility. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Rick served in the United States Coast Guard from 1949 to 1952. He worked as a maintenance mechanic most of his life. Rick could fix just about anything. He loved reading and learning and could speak with anyone about any subject. Rick was part of the first class of recipients to receive a B.A. degree through the SUNY Empire External Degree program at the young age of 46. Rick retired from ETL in Cortland to care for his wife at home after she suffered from the effects of a severe stroke. After she died in 2001 Rick went back to school and received both his teaching assistant and substitute teacher certificate and then was active in the Cortland school district for a few years. Rick also did volunteer work with RSVP. Rick had quite a wit and always made people laugh. He was a very spiritual man and would willingly engage in philosophical conversations. He never shied away from discussing politics. One always knew where Rick stood on an issue. His childrens friends adored him and they loved his sense of humor and hospitality. He will be sorely missed. He was pre-deceased by his wife of 50 years, Dorothy, son Michael, and brothers Angelo and Nicholas. Rick is survived by his loving children Kathy (Kate) and Gerald and his wife Susan, brothers Mario and his wife Marie, Settimo, Alfred and his wife Cathy, his sister Irene, five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be celebrated 12:00 pm Saturday at the Wright-Beard Funeral Home 9 Lincoln Ave. Cortland with the Reverend James Bresnahan officiating, interment will follow in Glenwood Cemetery Homer. Friends are invited to call from 10:00 am - 11:45 am prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his name to the Alzheimers Association and The Salvation Army. The family would like to invite family and friends to a repast at the Grace Holy Spirit Church on Court St. following committal services at the cemetery to offer on line condolences visit www.wright-beard.com We are so sorry to hear of Rick's passing and know he is now with his beautiful bride Dorothy. What a perfectly wonderful person with a generous spirit, questioning and growing throughout his life. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. Diane Bernstein and family