Emmanuel Joseph Donato

ALTAMONT- Emmanuel Joseph Donato Sr. 63 of Altamont, NY passed away after a courageous battle with illness on Saturday June 4th at his home. Emmanuel, who was known as Joe to friends and family, was born in Albany NY to Louis and Mary (Eck) Donato Sr. on September 9, 1952. He was a graduate of Voorheesville High School and worked as a Carpenter Foreman for CR Drywall for over 30 years. Joe was an auto racing enthusiasts who attended many NASCAR races as well as stock cars races at Fonda Speedway where he headed up the pit crew for the stock car driven by his son. He was an avid gardener who, during the summer months, was sure to bestow an abundance of veggies on anyone who pulled into his yard. Joe enjoyed other hobbies such as raising chickens, roosters and other fowl as well as wood working. He was very well known to the community as he carried on his father's love of tractors and small engine repair and could almost always be found in his shop working on making someone's machine run properly again. Joe is survived by his beloved wife of almost 40 years, Carol Jean (Adams) Donato; his daughter Apryl Jean Donato of Latham; his son Emmanuel Joseph Donato Jr. of Schenectady; his grandson Brad Thomas Ableman and granddaughter Rylee Starr Ableman; his siblings Louis Jr. (Louise), William, Angel Donato (Aldas Ridgley), John (Joyce), Peter, Patrick, Gerald (Karen), Wayne (Amy Siegfried); his sister-in-laws Carol Donato and Susan Donato; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is predeceased by his parents Louis and Mary Ellen Donato Sr., his brothers Dominick and Thomas Donato and sister in law Rita Donato. Calling hours will be held at Fredendall Funeral Home, 199 Main St, Altamont on June 8, 2016 from 5-8PM. A funeral service will be held at on June 9 at1PM at the funeral home, with interment to follow at Fairview Cemetery, Altamont. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his honor to the Hudson Mohawk Chapter Pioneer Gas Engine Association P.O. Box 393 Schoharie, NY 12157 or The Lymphatic Education and Research Foundation 261 Madison Avenue 9th floor New York, NY 10016.