Donald A. D’Amato

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Donald A. D’Amato, 80, of Warwick passed away June 15, 2012 at Kent Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Jean T. (Carroll) D’Amato.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, he was a son of the late Donato and Carmela Theresa (Mutascio) D’Amato. Mr. D’Amato was an educator in the Warwick School System for 30 years. He was also a freelance writer for the Warwick Beacon, Cranston Herald, Old Rhode Island Magazine and Prime Time Magazine. He was a graduate of Boston English High School, received his BA from Northeastern University in 1954 and his Masters in History and English from University of Rhode Island. He also completed graduate studies at Brown University. He served as an Instructor at C.C.R.I. and Johnson & Wales University. Mr. D’Amato authored 14 books on Warwick and Rhode Island History and was awarded the designation of Warwick Historian during the Flaherty Administration. He was a member of the Rhode Island and Warwick Historical Societies and the Apponaug Improvement Association.

He was the loving father of William J. D’Amato of Freedom, Maine, Donna M. McKee of Sacramento, California, Theresa A. Spencer of Warwick, Joanne M. Amaral of Voluntown, Connecticut and the late Carmela A. Leonard. Caring step father of Timothy Deignan of Warwick, Michael Deignan of Brazil and Joseph McGrath of Groveland, California. Cherished grandfather of nine and great-grandfather of four.

His Funeral Service will be held Friday at 11:00 am in The Urquhart-Murphy Funeral Home, 800 Greenwich Ave., Route 5, Warwick (Exit 12A on I-95). Relatives and friends are invited and may call Thursday 2-4 and 6-8 pm. Burial will be private. www.murphyfuneralhomes.org