Obituary
John James Donofrio passed away at his home in New Smyrna Beach on July 14, 2016, thirty three days after Peg, his “Sweetheart” and wife of 77 years went to her eternal home. Born of Italian immigrants, Carmine and Anna Donofrio on August 14, 1917 in College Point, New York, John spent his early years at his family dairy farm in Stamford, NY and in Corona, NY with his Grandparents. It was at nearby Holmes Airport, later to become Laguardia, that he discovered his love of aviation. John served in the Army Air Corps during WWII where he specialized in maintenance ofP-38, P-40 and P-51 fighter aircraft. After the war, he fulfilled his dream to become a private pilot. He later was a passenger on the historic flight of Pan Am Fit 50, a 747 SP that circumnavigated the world over the North and South poles in under 55 hours, setting a world record. Residing in New Jersey, Upstate New York and South Florida before making New Smyrna Beach his home in 1995, John was an entrepreneur establishing several successful businesses in design and manufacturing of windows and related accessory hardware. An avid fisherman, John often entertained his friends and family by taking them on fishing trips. One of his greatest joys in life was fishing with his grandsons. A man of faith, John has given much of his time and talents to various churches throughout his life and many of his closest friends have been clergymen. During his retirement he was a volunteer at Bert Fish Hospital where he enjoyed driving the shuttle and gaining friends in the medical community. John completes his earthly journey knowing that his love for family was unconditional and that he was always available to family and friends to encourage, to solve a problem or to lend a helping hand. John is survived by his daughter, Marge Fairweather of New Smyrna Beach, FL; grandsons, Dean Fairweather of Winter Park, FL, Mark Fairweather and wife Ann of Orlando FL; great-grandchildren, Anna Fairweather of Longwood, FL and Laurel and Luke Fairweather of Orlando, FL; and sisters Josephine and Dorothy Donofrio of Stamford, NY. A Celebration of Life service will be held at St. Peter the Fisherman Episcopal Church in New Smyrna Beach on Saturday, July 30 at 3PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Peter the Fisherman Episcopal Church “John Donofrio Memorial Fund”, 4220 Saxon Drive, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169. The memorial fund will support projects for needy families in New Smyrna Beach.
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