Donald J. Fatula, 79, of Homosassa, FL, passed away on Sat., Sept. 1, 2018 at Oak Hill Hospital in Brooksville, FL. A native of Elmira, NY, he was born Jan. 13, 1939 to Joseph and Helen (Gould) Fatula, one of five children. Don served his country proudly and honorably for nearly 26 years, first in the U.S Army from 1958 to 1964. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1980, serving in the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (SEABEES), an assignment that deployed him to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Rota, Spain, Souda Bay, Greece and Jamaica, among other ports, that carried Don to the rank of Builder First Class Petty Officer after 19 years of U.S. Naval service. A general contractor and painter by profession, Donald built bridges in his native Elmira, NY and also was instrumental in the construction of Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. Mr. Fatula retired from the maintenance division of the Orange County School System in Orlando. Don was a very active member of the Shepherd’s Way Cowboy Church, Lecanto, FL and Grant St. Baptist Church in Orlando, as well as a member of American Legion Post #155 of Crystal River, FL. He is survived by eight children: Christopher Fatula, Dorothy Fort (husband Ivan), Jim Fatula (wife Terri), Steve Fatula, Eddy Howard, Michael Howard, Fred Howard (wife Michelle) and Terry Howard; siblings Bill Fatula (wife Darlene), Bob Fatula (wife Linda), Joe Fatula (wife Fran) and Nancy Morgan (husband Tom); 26 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren and 16 great great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Donald was preceded in death by his first wife and mother to Christopher, Jim and Steve, Frances Fatula on March 27, 2001, second wife Mary Fatula on Sept. 7, 2017, grandson Zachary Howard and great granddaughter Samantha Monroe. A celebration of Don’s life will take place on Fri., Sept. 28, 2018 at 10:30 A.M. from Wilder Funeral Home, Homosassa, FL with Pastor Dave Shirkey of Shepherd’s Way Cowboy Church officiating. Military honors by the American Legion Post #155 and United States Navy will be rendered at 1:30 P.M. from Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida. Funeral procession, led by the Patriot Guard Riders, will commence to the cemetery at 12:15 P.M. www.wilderfuneral.com
