Donald Mitchell Lenardi ,Sr.

Native San Diegan and long-time Coronado resident Donald “Don” Lenardi, Sr. passed away peacefully in October 2024. Don was born into a Navy family in 1932, the beloved only child of Julius and Dorothy Lenardi. Having lived in Honolulu, Seattle, and Washington, DC, his family returned to San Diego in time for Don to enjoy freshman year at Coronado High School. Soon after, his family moved to La Mesa, where he attended Grossmont High School and met the love of his life Elizabeth “Betsy” Lyons. Don was elected senior class president, joined the baseball, track & field teams, and was quarterback for Grossmont HS football team.

During his 23-year Naval career, the Lenardi family moved from coast to coast every few years and made friends all along the way. In 1976 Don retired from the military, and the family returned to San Diego, ultimately settling in Coronado. Don began a 32-year career in finance, as a Trust Officer for San Diego Trust & Savings, HomeFed Trust and then worked independently.

Don was preceded in death by his beloved eldest son, Matthew. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Elizabeth Lyons Lenardi, his daughters, Julia (Jim) Dill, Karen (Paolo) Crescini, Paula (Ethan) Burrows, and his son Donald Lenardi, Jr. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

A Mass for Don will be held at Sacred Heart Church, Coronado, CA on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 11:30am and a celebration of his life will immediately follow in the Parish Hall. Full military honors will be held at Miramar National Cemetery on Friday, November 22, 2024 at 1:30 pm. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sacred Heart Church, Coronado or the Tailhook Education Foundation.