David J. Donatelli, Sr.

David J. Donatelli, Sr. "Dog", 55, passed away September 6, 2007, surrounded by his family, following a long illness.

Dave was born in Akron and lived most of his life on North Hill. He attended St. Martha Grade School and North High School and had been employed at General Tire and North Hill Glass & Mirror. Coaching baseball was something Dave treasured and his teams with the North Akron Hot Stove League and North High School won many city, regional and state championships. Dave also enjoyed fishing, hunting, horse racing, playing with his grandchildren and gardening, for which he was famous for growing the "largest tomatoes on North Hill". In a very unassuming way Dave touched and influenced the lives of all those who knew him. He was a very hard worker who would do anything for anybody, never wanting any recognition in return. He will be deeply missed by many, many people. Our hearts are broken now, but we know that he is free from pain and is finally able to rest.

Preceded in death by his father, Rudolph Donatelli; and father-n-law, Charles "Bud" McCulley; he is survived by his best friend and wife of more than 36 years, Nancy; mother, Lida Donatelli; sons and daughters-n-law, David, Jr. and Ellen and Nick and Kara; the light of his life, his grandchildren, Luke William and Allison Elizabeth, who will dearly miss their "Papa"; sister and brother-n-law, Judie and Charlie Burkley; brother, Rudy; brothers and sisters-n-law, Gary and Kathy, Ronald and Ginger, Tim and Diane and John and Pam; mother-n-law, Katie McCulley; special great-nephew, Anthony; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors.

"If I leave here tomorrow

Would you still remember me? For I must be traveling on, now, cause there's too many places I've got to see.

But, if I stayed here with you, girl, Things just couldn't be the same, cause I'm as free as a bird now, And this bird you cannot change."

The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, September 10, at the Hennessey Funeral Home, 552, N. Main St., Akron. Mass of the Christian Burial Tuesday, September 11, at 10 a.m. at St. Martha Catholic Church, 300 E. Tallmadge Ave., Akron. in lieu of flowers the family requests donations to St. Martha Church or North Akron Catholic School, 1570 Creighton Ave., Akron.