Donato J. Zonno

Donato J."Don" Zonno

Donato J. "Don" Zonno, age 82, of Erie, died Tuesday, October 1, 2013 at his residence after a long battle with Parkinson's disease with his family by his side. He was born November 6, 1930 in Erie, a son of the late Angelo and Carrie Spada Zonno. He lived in Erie his entire life.

He was a graduate of Strong Vincent High School class of 1948, where he was a terrific athlete and a four sport letterman in football, baseball, basketball, and track. He attended Gannon University and Western Reserve University, where he graduated in 1953. Don was a member of the first Gannon football team in 1950; that team was undefeated for two years .

He served in the United States Navy from 1955-1957.

Later in life, Don enjoyed spending time with his friends on the tennis court and at Lawrence Park Golf Club.

Don was with the Erie School District for 35 years and retired as the Principal of Academy High School. He had also coached Academy's football, basketball and track teams at various times in his career. He had fond memories of all of his students and teams throughout his time at Academy.

Don always enjoyed spending time with his family and going to his grandchildren's events. He loved to pass along his lifetime of experiences - always a coach and always a teacher.

He was a member of the Sons of Little Italy, the Wolves Club, and the Little Italy Ice House Gang.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his son Michael, sister Patty Dresch (Lewis), sister Rosemarie Zonno, son-in-law Gary Lovelace, and mother and father-in-law Jenny and Charles Augustine.

Don is survived by his loving wife of 60 years Joan Augustine Zonno, children Mark Zonno (Sugar Brown) of Torrance, CA, Lisa Lovelace, Matthew Zonno (Karen) , Maria Zonno (Jon Whaley) all of Erie, brother Angelo Zonno of TX, sister Phyllis Ensani (Louis) of Arkport , NY, grandchildren Emily, Molly, and Matthew Whaley, Michael and Meghan Zonno, and Sophia Zonno . Brothers-in-law Joseph Augustine of CA, Charley Augustine (Nancy), sister-in-law Theresa Chessario (Joseph) both of Erie, and many nieces and nephews .

Friends are invited to call on Thursday at the John R. Orlando Funeral Home, Inc., 2122 Raspberry Street, from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. and may attend a service there on Friday at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at Saint Paul RC Church, 1617 Walnut Street, at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Trinity Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Heartland Hospice, 719 Indiana Dr Erie, PA 16505.