Donald Joseph Saunders

Donald Joseph Saunders On November 21st, 2017, Donald Joseph (“DJ”) Saunders died in Bartow, Florida after battling dementia for the past several years. He developed pneumonia and was briefly hospitalized. He passed peacefully with family around him. He was 87 years old. DJ graduated from Xavier University with a degree in business and, after serving as a supply officer in the U.S. Navy for several years, he joined Thoro System Products, Inc. DJ was hired initially as an office manager and rose to become President. Under his leadership, Thoro enjoyed its highest earnings and productivity in the company’s 80 year history. He is survived by his Wife of 63 years, Nancy Jean (Kane) whom he first met in elementary school. He is also survived by his daughter, Julie Anne Saunders as well as his two sons, Thomas C. Saunders and D. Joseph Saunders, Jr. DJ loved his three granddaughters, Katie Kelly, Laura Canasi and Samantha Saunders as well as his grandson Daniel J. Rosales and his grandson, Joseph Kane Saunders. It was not difficult to get DJ talking about his time in the Navy and his urn will be interred with full military honors at Bushnell National Military Cemetery on December 27th, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. The service will be open to anyone able to come. DJ was a devout Catholic and a funeral Mass will be held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church on December 27th at 7:30 a.m. (DJ greatly admired the generosity of St. Jude’s Catholic Hospital and donations would honor his memory while allowing the hospital to continue its great works) OR (DJ’ last many months were spent under the tremendous nursing care he received at the Rorh Home. Donations in DJ’s memory made to this facility will allow others to be cared for in their final times as nicely as was he).