WARREN - Antonio G. "Tony" Donatelli, 34, of 273 Garfield Drive and formerly of Sharon, Pa., passed away Monday, July 2, 2012, following injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
He was born Feb. 18, 1978, in Sharon, the son of Raymond and Patti Leonetti Donatelli.
He attended Sharon schools through the 11th grade, was a 1996 graduate of Hickory High School in Hermitage, Pa., and studied physical education at Slippery Rock State University for three years.
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Antonio G. Donatelli
A gifted athlete, Tony was a standout baseball player in the area for many years and played varsity ball as a pitcher for Sharon and Hickory high schools. He was awarded the most outstanding pitcher in the Connie Mack tournament in 1995, which was held in Cincinnati. He pitched in many professional ball parks, including the former Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, and at Packard Park in Warren, and participated in the Youngstown B League. More recently, he played softball in Mercer and Trumbull counties.
Tony was employed in the family business, Donatelli and Sons in Sharon, for the past 14 years. During college, he enjoyed working in the summer months for the City of Hermitage Street Department.
Tony was a wonderful man who was extremely dedicated to his family.
His children, whom he adored, were the biggest part of his life. He loved taking them to Scrappers baseball games where, on occasion, his daughter would perform dance recitals before the game. He also liked to boast about their many accomplishments and enjoyed going to Las Vegas with his wife. Tony was always there for his family and friends, and will be remembered for his passion, loyalty, sense of humor and his caring and compassionate demeanor.
Surviving are his loving wife, the former Rachel L. Barnhart, whom he married April 5, 2003; two children, Mia Isabella and Santino Guiseppe, all at home; his mother, Patti Donatelli of Sharon; his father, Ray Donatelli of West Middlesex, Pa.; a younger sister whom he always looked out after, Rena Donatelli of Raleigh, N.C.; two brothers and their spouses, Raymond (Courtney) Donatelli and their children, Vito and Vincenzo; and Nick (Nicole) Donatelli and their children, Salvatore, Carmine and Rocco, all of Sharon; his mother- and father-in-law, Patti and Don Barnhart of Howland; aunts and uncles, Robert (Delores) Donatelli of Sharpsville, Joseph Donatelli, who is also Tony's godfather, and his girlfriend Toni Pagley of West Middlesex, Frank (Rose) Donatelli of Charleston, S.C., Rosaria "Lala" (John) Chantrill of Auburn, Maine, Anna Marie (John) Vasconi of Hermitage, Janie (Larry) Bell of Havre de Grace, Md., and Dean Leonetti of West Middlesex; a brother-in-law, Adam Barnhart of Cortland; several cousins; and his godmother, Judy Carpenter of Sharon.
Tony was preceded in death by his grandparents, Frank and Rosaria Donatelli, and Joseph "Lemon" and Peggy Leonetti.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family for a children's fund, which will be established.
A funeral service will be noon Friday at J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Calling hours will be 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. to the time of Friday's service, all at the funeral home.
Friends may email condolences by visiting www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.
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