Austin V. Donilon

Providence: Donilon, Austin V., 89, a lifelong resident of Providence and Narragansett, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday at the Philip Hulitar Hospice Center. He leaves his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth "Betty" (Garrity) Donilon. Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Charles E. and Mary E.(Casey) Donilon. Brother of the late Charles E. Donilon II and Margaret Reed. Mr. Donilon graduated from Providence College in 1940. He served as a Navy Air Cadet until he was transferred to the Army Air Force in 1942. He was decorated and received a congratulatory General Assembly resolution for his service as a Lieutenant and bombardier on a B 17 "Flying Fortress" with the 8th Air Force and the 15th Air Force, in Europe during World War II. He flew 50 missions in five campaigns and was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation, and the Air Medal with Five Oak Leaf Clusters. He joined the Veterans Administration in 1946 and the former Customs Service as vessel documentation officer in 1952. He was transferred to the Coast Guard in 1970 and continued to issue documents for registering merchant and pleasure vessels until he retired in 1980. Besides his wife, he leaves four daughters, Ellen M. Sanberg and her husband Richard; and Christine Donilon of Providence, Kerry A. Rothschild and her husband Dave of Monte Sereno, Ca and Nancy J. Donilon, RN of Wakefield, four grandchildren, four great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral and Visitation will be held on Tuesday at 9am in the Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral Home, 331 Smith St, Providence. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am in St. Augustine Church, Mt. Pleasant Ave, Providence. Burial will be in the RI Veterans Cemetery, Exeter. In lieu of flowers, donations to Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104 in his memory would be appreciated.