Mr. D...... I wanted to let you know that the little third grade girl you taught never forgot about you. She was looking for you to let you know that her story, featured in a University of Phoenix campaign, has reached over 8.7 million viewers online and was also aired nationally on television—likely witnessed by tens of millions more! You always said you wanted to send her to the "MOOOOOOOON alice" haha. Well she made it to be among the stars! Thank you for pouring into all of us kids that gave you a run for your money. Your legacy lives in all of us! https://youtu.be/gL00JvXIbT0?si=3R5YYAunCylXxBsq 

Thank you for everything, 
Doreen R.

My deep Condolences to the  DeAntonio family!  Especially, Dana who did a wonderful service for Damien and serviced so graciously during “ads” lifetime!
Thank you as Damien’s good friend and already miss his texts, phone calls and great conversations on a daily basis’

RIP Damien in the arms of Jesus🙏🙏🙏❤️  


My fourth grade teacher. I used to give him absolute Hell. Never did any work, never took anything seriously and would always go around acting like a clown. 😂 I remember his favourite quotes "tuff tuff creampuff" and "what did I do do do at school school school." But he had patience with me. I tried to find him last year actually and discovered a news article about him praising one of his students. I wanted to think him for some precious early childhood memories. People really take for granted the blessings of what Teachers and Professors have to offer to society especially when you're young... I wish I got the chance to pick his brain and to learn more from him as an adult what he was teaching me at baby steps and to understand his world view as a learned man. You are the only teacher that sticks out in my memory and I will cherish that memory always.

On behalf of the Junker Family: We are heartbroken and share in your pain over the passing of Damian. Damian was very much a part of the Junker Family and he will be truly missed by all of us. He was full of laughs, tears and we shared several memories over the years with him from the family vacations to spending holidays together he always had us laughing. The last conversation we had with Damian was by text was so heartfelt I shared our grandchild’s pictures with him. He was so very happy and said to me: “Sometimes God takes away special people in our lives replaces them with little blessings” I truly knew Damian was so right as I learned of his passing our 2nd grandson. was born a few days later.  As I thought about how much I would missed Damian I also smiled thinking that there would be no more loneliness and he would be with my brother in-law Doug and Fred. We will forever love you Damian! Brent & Helen Junker

Damian, my adopted son, we’ve known each other for over 40 years. All the good times as school aides and as teachers we had. Talking on the phone about everything in the world. Teaching me how to say many things in Italian and also how to cook Italian cuisine. Rest in peace, see you again in the eternal life. Thanks for your friendship and talks.
Love your friend,
Esther Ramos

My deepest condolences to the DeAntonio family. 
I will miss your forever Mr. D. Our long phone calls, recipe exchanges, reminiscing of elementary school and your beautiful letters and Christmas cards. You truly hold a special place in my heart and I will forever cherish our memories. I thank you for always being a wonderful educator and mentor. Rest In Peace my friend, give Mr. Junker a hug from me. 
Love you forever,
Jenna Hernandez

Celebrating my son, Anthony's 20th bday with us! He was truly apart of our family! We miss him everyday!

Damian

Approximately thirty two years ago I met you and Doug. We were moving to a new housing area and we found ourselves neighbors.  You and Doug were very good neighbors. I especially loved Sundays, the cooking day. You would make four to five meals in a day and I looked forward to the call “Jeanne go to the fence” and a warm plate of food would come my way   I cried when you and Doug moved. I visited your new home, had lunch and many calls while you were in Banning. I cried with you over Doug. I cried with you over Freddie
I miss you.  You are now in peace  thank you for our friendship.



Jeanne

Damian, my dear friend of over 30 years, I find it hard to believe that you’re gone. I questioned what was being said to me when I was told of your passing. I couldn’t have been hearing it correctly. I had just spent time with you five days earlier. We had a wonderful time together, as always. You made us a Caesar salad, and I brought you double-doubles from McDonald’s. We ate, talked, and reminisced about our days at Henry Elementary and recent happenings in general. You shared your book that your cousin gave you filled with family photos. Oh, what a beautiful family it is! 

I am going to truly miss you and our little (hours long 😊) chats on the phone. You were full of wisdom and memories. You were older, but your memory was so much better than mine. So many stories and experiences in that amazing life you lived. I am grateful for the times we shared as colleagues, then friends, and finally as family. Our last few hours together will remain a cherished memory. I thank God for that last visit, hug, kiss, and chance to say and hear “I love you” in person…what a blessing! Gone but never forgotten, Mr. D. 

Rest in paradise. I love you!!! ❤️ 

Enjoying a family birthday dinner in Oak Glen with Mr. D. So much a part of us. Good memories.

As I write this in tears, I have so many memories of you. Not just a good friend but family. A kind, funny, grateful, man. No one was ready to say good-bye, you left too suddenly. Your stories from the past were entertaining and you remembered so much. You missed Freddy and Doug so much and now you are with them and your mother and father.  You will not be so lonely anymore and your oxygen is gone, no more need for that. We spoke or texted nearly everyday and I still want to ask what you need at the store or take you something I baked or cooked.  You were so so grateful for anything we did for you, you appreciated everything. I miss you everyday. Sometimes I thought I was too busy and we missed each other and I'm so sorry for that, you were never too busy for me. I love you and miss you everyday. RIP Damian.

A book given to me by Mr. D, as a student, in 1993.

From Henry Elementary School 1993 yearbook. 

“Best wishes to one of Mr. D’s stars. May God bless you and everything you do.” Written in 1995. He would go on to say the same thing 25 years later to the San Bernardino Sun.

https://www.sbsun.com/2020/10/19/emmy-winner-reflects-on-upbringing-in-rialto-and-path-to-major-news-network

Mr. D, 

It has been a week since you passed. I’m still trying to process your death. Not a day has gone this past week where I didn’t think of you. I’ve had a physical pain in my chest, in my heart, since I got the news. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to write this. Forgive me, because I couldn’t find the words to write to grieve your loss. I met you in 1993. I still have the Polaroid photo of you and me taken by my mother outside your classroom, on my first day of third grade at Henry Elementary school. 

I’m glad the last words I said to you were “I love you.” I wish I said it once more. By title, you were my former third and fourth grade teacher. But 29-years later, as I spoke to you in May from my high rise home in Atlanta, a now 37-year-old adult, we were beyond friends. We were family. 

It’s not fair. I wasn’t ready for you to leave yet. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you. You encouraged me, guided me, empowered me. I’m a product of YOU. I’m an Emmy-winning television producer because of you and others who created an environment for me to thrive to learn, to work hard and always try my best. You said to me that I made you “famous”. Haha. It puts a smile on my face. Because I’m grateful I was able to share with the world how much you meant to me.

In one of our last conversation together, you made me look up a prayer called, Jesus Help Me. Using my smartphone, I found it online with you still on the line. Then, just like I was a child again, you proceeded to read me it to me. Your voice, strong and unwavering, transported me back to 1993. It was one of the most precious and beautiful moments of my life. Now, as tears flow down my face, I want to say this: I’m so grateful to have known you and I love you so much. More than you’ll ever know. 

Rest easy. Love always, your “Nesa”

Vanessa Rumbles

OBITUARY

Damian DeAntonio

April 21, 1953 – November 20, 2022

Mt. View Mortuary & Cemetery

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