Obituary of Francis J Dondero

Francis J. Dondero, 91, a lifelong resident of Vineland passed away peacefully on March 9, 2023 at the N.J. Veterans Memorial Home. He was born to the late Francis and Celestine Dondero. Francis was a graduate of Vineland High School Class of 1949. He enlisted with the US Navy and served during the Korean War. While in the Navy, he served aboard the USS Wasp and was stationed in the Mediterranean area and off Korea, getting to travel all around. He was awarded with the Navy Occupational Service Medal, European Clasp, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and the China Service Medal Francis worked for over 33 years for NJ Bell and later Verizon as an installation supervisor before retiring. After retiring, he volunteered at Newcomb Hospital clocking in over 2000 hours of his time. In his younger years, Francis was a coach and manager for the Vineland Farm Leagues and Little Leagues and was part of the group that set up the Fiocchi Fields in Vineland. Francis was an avid golfer and member of the Buena Vista Country Club. He enjoyed sports especially baseball and football and was a season ticket holder for the Eagles. He also loved playing cards and was a lifetime member of the Diamond Social Club. Francis had an additional love of making wine with his buddies, Charlie, Eddie and John. But his greatest love was spending time with his family. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and cousin. Francis was an usher for Sacred Heart Church and St Isidore's Church. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion. He and his wife Margaret loved to spend winters at their home in Hudson, Florida. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Kenneth Durkin; son and his husband, Steven Dondero and Gregory Whitmire; two grandchildren, Caroline and Patrick Durkin; his sister and brother-in-law, Agnes and Robert Thompson); as well as his nieces, nephew and cousins. Along with his parents he was predeceased by his beloved wife of 67 years, Margaret Dondero; his sister, Janet Guerere (Nicholas) and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Frances and Jack Rawlins. A church visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 from 9:15am to 11:15am followed by a funeral mass at 11:30 am from Christ The Good Shepherd Parish - Church Of Saint Isidore The Farmer, 1655 Magnolia Road, Vineland. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Vineland. ARRANGEMENTS are under the supervision of Rone Funeral Service, 1110 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360 Donations in memory of Francis may be made to: American Heart Association, 1 Union Street, Suite 301, Robbinsville, NJ 08691 or South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter, 1244 N. Delsea Drive, Vineland, NJ 08360 To send online condolences please visit our website at www.RONEFUNERALSERVICE.com