Donald A. Panarello

Donald was born on August 25, 1949 to John Joseph Panarello Sr, and Dorothy Anne Panarello in Brooklyn, NY. After Donald graduated from Nutley High School in 1966, he worked at Cavallo’s butcher shop for two years, until he was drafted into the US Army in 1968. He served in the Vietnam war, stationed in Germany, where he initially was a trained medic, but was then put into the motor pool. This sparked his interest in mechanics, and after he returned from his service, he attended school to become a mechanic. He met his future wife, Bette, when his friends were celebrating his return from Germany at a bar in upstate NY. They married in 1975 and they began their life together in Bloomfield, NJ.

Donald owned a car repair shop for 10 years, after which he worked for the US Postal service as a diesel mechanic/supervisor until his retirement in 2017.

Retirement gave him time to pursue his many hobbies. He particularly loved woodworking, creating many beautiful pieces. When one of his loved ones announced a pregnancy, you would find Donald working tirelessly in his workshop, making a beautiful rocking horse which he would hand deliver once the baby was born. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, and gardener. An excellent cook, Donald took great pleasure in feeding others. Donald was a proud Mets and Giants fan, standing by them even during their worst seasons. He loved Budweiser, Grand Marnier and very, very hot peppers. If the pepper didn’t make his mouth numb, it wasn’t hot enough!

People describe Donald as warm, jovial, and fun loving. He had a generous, lighthearted nature and was welcoming and accepting of all. He loved to joke and he had a gift of putting people instantly at ease. Donald was known by many and loved by all.

Donald was predeceased by his parents, John Sr and Dorothy Anne Panarello. He is survived by his beloved wife, Bette; his brother John (Gigi) Panarello; his sister Renate Gunters; sister-in-laws Susan (Joseph) Maziarski, and Peggy (Dave) D’amico; nieces and nephews: Candice (Ashish) Shah; Laurie (Dennis) Richards, Joseph Maziarski and his fiancée Liza, Andrew Maziarski and Maddie Cleland, John (Maria) Panarello, and Chelsea (Jacob) Angel, as well as many great nieces and nephews, cousins and aunts, uncles and great friends.

Services will be held at Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, 115 Lace Rd.,Whiting, NJ on November 26, 2022 from 2PM-5PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org, an organization about which Donald felt strongly.