Donald Carl Tosatto
Donald Carl Tosatto
May you fly forever free
Obituary
Donald Carl Tosatto,
October 21, 1937 – February 11, 2025
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Donald Tosatto, who died peacefully on February 11, 2025, at the age of 87, holding the hand of his daughter in her home in Philadelphia, PA.
Don was born on October 21, 1937, in Freeport, Pennsylvania, to Lucia and Dominick Tosatto. He is survived by his daughter, Ariana Tosatto, and his grandson, Leo Mullen. He is also survived by his sister, Emma Jones, and his brother, Joe Tosatto. He is deceased by his brother Francis Tosatto.
Don proudly served in the U.S. Air Force and continued his passion for flying planes well into his 70s. He enjoyed a successful career in sales and was a stockbroker for many years. In his later years, he worked as a bus driver, dedicating much of his income to charity—a testament to his selfless and generous character.
Don had a tool for everything. Whether it was fixing a leaky faucet or repairing a broken appliance, he always had the right tool and the skill to make things better. He loved to leave places better than he found them, a reflection of how he lived his life. Don’s presence was much like his handiwork—steadfast, reliable, and ever-improving the world around him. He was always ready to lend a hand or share a solution, leaving a positive mark wherever he went.
Don’s love for flying, his commitment to helping others, and his dedication to his family and friends made him a deeply loved and respected man. His memory will be cherished by all who knew him.
Please see details on the Service page to attend his memorial service.
Timeline
1937
October 21st
Born
Freeport, PA
1949
June
Graduates from Birdville Elementary
Don spoke fondly of his childhood era. After eating breakfast he would roam the town and the woods with his friends only to return for supper. When they got hungry they would wander through neighbors backyards and forage tomatoes, peppers and potatoes from their gardens then had back into what ever shenanigans they were up to. His favorite thing to do was use old tires to damn up the creek in the woods by their house to make a watering hole to swim in. Don's stories spoke of an idyllic time in which kids still roamed free.
Natrona Heights, PA
1952
June
Graduates from Heights Junior High
Don worked several jobs starting in junior high school and continuing into high school. He set pins at the bowling alley and delivered newspapers by bicycle. He spoke of his pride at being able to provide for himself for a young age and to contribute to his family. In addition to using his income to pay for things he needed like clothes and books, Don always made sure to visit the local bakery to procure a 5 cent cream puff pastry.
Natrona Heights, PA
1955
April
Graduates from Harbrack High School
Don's high school year book inscription read "happy-go-lucky, one of the class clowns, seems allergic to school work".
Natrona Heights, PA
1955
May 27th
Enlists in the United States Air Force
Trains as a aircraft mechanic and completes training at Amarillo Air Force Base in Texas
1959
August
Honorably Discharged from the United States Air Force
1959
October
Begins his career in sales at the Tarentum Motor Sales Company
Tarentum, Pennsylvania
1960
Moves across country to California
A friend offers Don a free ride if he pays for gas to the land of sunshine and opportunity. He leaves with the clothes on his back, enough money for gas and a whole lotta hutzpah!
Los Angeles, California
1960
May
Starts his career in California at Robert Thayer Chrysler Plymouth Center
After arriving with no money or possessions, Don walked for hours from the house of a mother of a friend who gave him a temporary room until he found a car dealership that would hire him. Don was always able to speak confidently and convincingly about his skillset. It also wasn't beyond him to overly embellish his prior career in auto sales back in Pennsylvania to land the job. He gets a job at Chrysler Plymouth, eventually becoming a supervisor and begins his career of auto sales in California. He went on to work at Kendon Porsche and Audi as one of their top salesman and sales managers. In 1972 he was awarded Audi Porsche salesman of the year.
Culver City, California
1968
August 14th
Gets his Private Pilot's License
Don left behind a pilot flight record in which he logged hundreds of flights from 1968 to 2017 on single engine airplanes. He loved to fly and for several years owned his own airplane that he purchased with two other pilot friends. He took his grandson on his first single engine flight for his second birthday which was one of his last times to fly.
El Segundo, California
1975
Begins his Career as a Financial Planner and Consultant
At the nudging of his dear friend Hugh, Don leaves his career in car sales to explore the world of finance. After only a year in the field he gets a job at Shearson Lehman Brothers where he works from March 1976- October 1992.
Los Angeles, California
1984
Ranked as a 1983 Ultra Athlete in The BEAST May 1984 Magazine
It is unclear exactly how many marathons and triathlons Don completed, but it is rumored to be in the triple digits.
Los Angeles, California
1985
Gets Married
After meeting Don at the gym, Charleen Kirston asks him to train her for a triathlon and the rest is history. At this time Don was known for being a great trainer, and he even trained some of the LA Lakers.
Los Angeles, California
1986
March
His Daughter Ariana is Born
After living life as a bachelor for decades, Don described the birth of his daughter Ariana in his late 40's as a major turning point in his life. In becoming a father, he found a deep sense of meaning and purpose.
Beverly Hills, California
1992
Retires from Shearson Lehman
Desiring a more balanced quality of life, Don leaves his long standing position at Shearson Lehman. He works in several banks in Santa Barbara as a loan office before eventually returning to delivering newspapers just as he had when he was a teenager. Don was never a materialistic person and valued time with family over material wealth. His new jobs allowed him to be available for frequent day trips to the beach in the summer, where he would take Ariana and her friends from sunrise to sunset.
Santa Barbara, CA
2009
Moves to Kansas
After realizing that his mother, then in her late 90s, only had a few years to live, Don moved to Kansas to be near her and his sister Emma. He found a home a few blocks away from them and spent those years as a devoted brother and son.
Wichita, Kansas
2014
August
Moves to New Jersey
After his mother passed, Don decides to move to New Jersey to live close to his daughter and her then husband as they prepared to have a family. Don lived about an hour from them in the town of Manville which he enjoyed for its small-town feel and good Mexican restaurant down the street. He also works part-time as a school bus driver for a local high school.
Manville, NJ
2021
April
Moves to Milford, Delaware
Don purchases a home nestled in a newly built housing community in Milford. For his home, he picks the "Dominica" model, coincidentally a family name from both of his grandmothers. Don spends much time enjoying the view of the pond behind the house studying the comings and goings of turtles and geese. He creates a community of friends in his neighbors that felt like family to him. He works for the local First Student Bus company where he was beloved by co-workers and students alike.
Gallery
Memory wall
Post your condolences or share your Memories.
February 27, 2025
Don and I worked together at RJK Transportation, while driving a school bus for Polytech High School. We became friends and talked about everything from politics to family, to faith.
Don was a great story teller. He loved his daughter more than anything in this world. He told me he had her later in life and from the day she was born he was devoted to her.
I really enjoyed our time together, although it ended too soon. He was a good guy. He will be missed
Don was a great story teller. He loved his daughter more than anything in this world. He told me he had her later in life and from the day she was born he was devoted to her.
I really enjoyed our time together, although it ended too soon. He was a good guy. He will be missed
February 27, 2025
I remember Mr. Don working with him for RJK Inc. him driving bus 19. His pleasant smile and his nod of greedy saying hello Sandra. He is greatly missed my condolences to you, his daughter and grandson and the rest of the family. God bless you all sadly submitted.
February 26, 2025
The last time that I saw Don was in my home in the community. During the last Thanksgiving.Don was a sweet man, he always brought delicious mashed potatoes, and the gnocchi to share .I will forever remember him taking his stroll around the community until he was unable to do so anymore due to his failing health.
I shall miss our phone calls just to check on each other, we did that for the past five years. We enjoyed going out to dinner. He always spoke fondly of his daughter. I’m glad that she was there for him. He told me that she was taking good care of him, feeding him well that he had gained five pounds. One thing I know for sure he will be missed in the community until. Sleep well Don until we meet again my fiend.
I shall miss our phone calls just to check on each other, we did that for the past five years. We enjoyed going out to dinner. He always spoke fondly of his daughter. I’m glad that she was there for him. He told me that she was taking good care of him, feeding him well that he had gained five pounds. One thing I know for sure he will be missed in the community until. Sleep well Don until we meet again my fiend.
February 25, 2025
A beautiful tribute, Ariana! I am so sorry for your loss and so glad you got to have him with you.
February 22, 2025
I met Don when I started driving for RJK. He was such a great person. I so enjoyed listening to the conversations he had with the others on the rides back and forth on the bus. Don was a blessing to know and is greatly missed.
February 22, 2025
Don you became a friend and brother. We worked, laughed and solved the world's problems together on the bus rides back and forth to the yard. You will be missed but we see you again.
Family tree
Guiseppe (Joseph) Tosatto
1874-1952
1874-1952
Domenica Boseti
1886-1951
1886-1951
Luigi Salto
1885-1959
1885-1959
Emma Domenica Scotti
1896-1940
1896-1940
Dominick Tosatto
1910-1979
1910-1979
Lucy Tosatto
1911-
1911-
Emma Jean Jones
Joseph Tosatto
Ariana Tosatto
Leo Mullen
Francis Tosatto 1938-1996
Mary Louise Tosatto 1934-1934
Emma Jean Jones
Joseph Tosatto
Francis Tosatto 1938-1996
Mary Louise Tosatto 1934-1934
Ariana Tosatto
Leo Mullen
Donald Tosatto
Favorites
What was Donald's favorite Movie?
"Shoot em' up films" as dad would famously say. Old Westerns were his favorite, however, he also loved Law and Order and crime shows.
What was Donald's favorite Drink?
Sprite and decaf Green Tea with a hearty dose of honey.
What was Donald's favorite Game to play?
Solitaire. Dad played thousands of games of solitaire on the computer and would track his wins on a notepad that eventually seemed to stretch miles long. Dad didn't so much like to play games with others which was a fitting symbol of his hermit like nature.
What was Donald's favorite way to exercise?
Walking around the Pond by his home where he loved to greet all his neighbors. He was a very active marathon runner for much of his adult life. Sometimes running three to four full marathons in a month!
What was Donald's favorite Food or Dish?
Cookies :) Dad single handedly kept the local Walmart Bakery in business by his near daily home delivery of cookies. Chocolate chip and macadamia nut were his two favorites. He also loved Italian food, Pork Chops, Chinese food and Gnocchi which we made together from scratch for his final meal.
What cause was important to Donald?
Dad donated to Shriners Children's Hospital for decades as well as to conservative political causes and veterans services.
Fun fact about Donald:
Dad had a handful of self help books and was always interested in natural health approaches to his wellbeing. He had a daily affirmation he would use to support his "subconscious" mind in addition to the prayers he would say every night before bed for the people he loved.
Service
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In honor of our beloved Donald, we invite you to contribute to Shriner's Children's Hospital. An organization that was near and dear to dad's heart which he donated to for many years. Your generous donation will serve as a meaningful tribute, perpetuating the spirit of by supporting a meaningful cause.
Together, let us continue the legacy of compassion and kindness that Don embodied throughout his life.
Together, let us continue the legacy of compassion and kindness that Don embodied throughout his life.
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