John Bligh
- Retired teacher
- Director of the UFT Just for Fun department
Vincio Donato, age 86, was a founding member of the UFT who taught for 35 years, but he was best known in recent years as the longtime director of the union’s Just for Fun department.
“Vinny” began teaching in 1956 and joined the union’s early marches for better working conditions and benefits for educators. He became the chapter leader at JHS 10 in Queens in the 1960s and then became the UFT District 30 representative. He was elected to the UFT Executive Board in 1970. He retired from teaching and his DR and Executive Board positions in 1991.
That’s when he became director of the Just for Fun department, where members signed up for trips, received discounts and were able to purchase UFT-tagged items including jackets and umbrellas. Along with longtime co-workers, Melody Rondinelli and the late Denise Koster, Vinny also staffed UFT member registration at AFT and NYSUT conventions. He retired in 2019.
“He believed in the union and all that it stood for,” said his daughter, Donna Donato, the chapter leader at Washington Heights Academy in Manhattan. “He provided support, love and caring for all union members.”
Vinny and his family moved to Astoria when he was 8, and he remained a committed member of that community until his death. He was chairman of Community Board No. 1 in Astoria for 40 years.
Vinny loved to travel, taking family excursions to Europe, Canada and Mexico. He built a second home in Hunter, New York, in 1995, and spent much time there with his wife, Flora; daughter, Donna; and grandson Antonio. He also loved to invite other friends and family members to spend time there.
He loved to shop and had plenty of opportunity to do so in his Astoria community.
“He was generous, kind and caring,” Donna Donato said. “As one friend said, ‘He would give you the shirt off his back.’”
Vinny also volunteered for other community organizations and sat on many boards. He was an appointment member of the Elmhurst Hospital Advisory Board in 1973 and served as chairman of the board from 1982 to 1984. He also served on the Queens Museum Board of Trustees and was on the boards of directors at the Museum of the Moving Image and the Astoria Civic Association. He was a board member of the Greater Astoria Historical Society and the Astoria Restoration Association, and he was a longstanding member of the Astoria Heights Homeowners Association. Vinny served on the Selective Service System, New York City Local Board 157. He was also a New York State driving instructor and served on the National Safety Council.
Vinny was named Astoria/Long Island City Kiwanis Community Person of the Year for 2006.
Besides his wife, daughter and grandson, Vinny is survived by more than a dozen nieces and nephews.
Donna Donato said the outpouring of love for her dad since his death has been overwhelming and much-appreciated.
“I am proud of my dad, for not just being an amazing father but for all that he stood for,” Donna Donato said. “When he believed in something, he went all out. And the UFT is something he strongly believed in.”
Condolences may be sent to
Flora Donato
20-42 49th St.
Astoria, NY 11105
We love you Uncle Vinny, and miss you dearly not a day goes by that we don’t think about you. Love you!!!! You are in Haven now with Aunt Anna and Uncle Mathew miss you people dearly.
Rest and Sleep in Peace Mr. VINNY. YOU WILL SURELY BE MISSED. THANK YOU THE DONATO FAMILY FOR SHARING YOUR HUSBAND, FATHER,AND GRANDPA WITH US AT THE UFT.
The position of UFT District Representative was created when NYC school districts were designed around 1969. Vinny Donato was selected to serve as the first District 30 Representative. As Chapter Leader from 1972-83 and having Vinny as DR to model leadership, contract enforcement, chapter growth, political action, citywide, state and nationwide UFT event participation was having the best example to emulate. He lived and taught in the district he represented and was active in so many community organizations and affairs. He had a very professional and successful relationship with school board members and the district superintendent, so that he could assist all UFT members working in his district. He was thoughtful, generous and caring beyond description. He will be sorely missed. Rest in peace, brother.
To Vinny’s family…
He was always there when you needed him. A fearless warrior who defended his District 30 Chapter Leaders against any and every threat. His unwavering support gave us the confidence to defend those in our schools who needed the bravery that Chapter Leaders would deliver for their faculty.
Rest easy my friend.
We are blessed to have known Vinny for many years. He was so charming and funny.and had such a generous spirit and big heart. He and Flora are very special people in our lives and we are graced with many great memories. Vinny helped me get my first teaching job in District 30 and gave me his help and advice all the years I served there. I am grateful to have known Vinny, and continue to know his loving family: Flora, Donna, and Antonio. May God comfort his wife, daughter, grandson, and family and give them strength and abundant love as they grieve one who was so well-loved and leaves a wonderful legacy in both his professional, community, and family life.
So sorry for your loss to the entire Donato Family. Donna, I know you’ll follow in the footsteps of your father and make him very proud (knew it from day 1 when I met you in grad school). He’s watching down on you and your entire family! Thinking about you during this hard time. Sending love ❤️
Wow, several colleagues gone, really nice folks that I taught with and now Mr. Donato one of my sister’s favorite teachers at JHS 10.
I never got to be in his classes, but she and her friends always spoke of him. I remember when they were upset because he and another popular teacher were in a boat accident. I got to see him while taking a UFT driving course in Manhattan. Well, I’m retired now and Linda (68) headed on up to Heaven several months ago. I am so sorry this “thing” took you and so many others….but I hope we did you proud on Earth. Our ole school, real deal teachers! Peace to his family, we’ll see him again!
I met Vinnie in my second year of teaching when my staff unanimously elected me to be the UFT Chapter Chairperson. I had no idea that nobody wanted that responsibility! My own father was instrumental in forming the first NYC Plumbers’ Union and I took this role as an honor. I was so lucky that Vinnie was my District 30 Rep. He was so supportive. Little did I know one of my first tasks would be to organize my staff for a strike. With Vinnie’s guidance I felt confident and the experience was less stressful.
There were grievances under several principals but Vinnie was available to help me every step of the way.
At the end of each school year, Vinnie would have a bbq at his home for all the chapter leaders. We all looked forward to getting together because Vinnie was a warm and gracious host as well as an excellent chef. Amidst all the merriment and great food, Vinnie acknowledged the hard work we did.
As I was getting close to retirement, Vinnie asked if I had gotten all my differentials to qualify for the maximum retirement salary. I had not. He gave me some of the best advice I’d ever received. He encouraged me to go back to school at the age of 51 and get those 21 credits. I balked at the advice saying I was too old. He replied,”So you’re 51, then you’ll be 52 anyway, so you might as well accomplish this at the same time. You won’t regret it.”
Well, I did what he 3 and have been forever thankful. Vinnie will be missed by so many for his kindness, warmth, support, smile and laugh, and his generosity.
When I was 5 years old I looked at my uncle and told him I wanted to be a teacher. The rest is history as I write this memory of him today.
I will miss my Uncle Vinny and all the times we would get together during family holidays and midweek outings to local restaurants in Queens with my beautiful godmother, my wonderful cousin Donna and his very loved grandson Antonio.
My uncle was a no-nonsense kind of man.
He believed in helping others and practiced that everyday of his life whether it was professionally or personally to support others. Living a mile from each other’s homes our families we’re blessed to see each other often. There were many Thursday night pasta dinners and holidays
At Nanni and Poppi’s for us to all be together. The conversations around the table between my grandfather, father and uncle were some of the most interesting and cherished memories I savor. My uncle taught me many lessons in life but above all the ones I will cherish the most is how he and my father always gave so freely of their time to support others. It is a lesson I try and emulate everyday to my children and others.
Although I will miss my uncle very much, I am reminded of how blessed I am to have had this role model in my life all these years.
Love you lots Uncle Vin….
My memories of Vinnie go back to 1975. I started teaching in 1972. It took a while to get an appointment but in 1975,
I was going to work in PS112 in District 30, Vinnie’s district and lucky for me.
I was hired for a second grade position. After, the first 15 days went by, I was called into the office and the principal regretfully told me that she was informed a teacher was returning and my job was now hers. I went to the chapter leader and she immediately put me in touch with Vinnie Donato. I explained my plight to him and he said, ” no way
they did not give notice in time.” He spoke to the principal and to the superintendent and yes it was true. He made the superintendent put money into the school budget to hire me. I returned to my class and the returning teacher was given a cluster position. When I became chapter leader at PS111, I again became associated with Vinnie and he remembered me. He was a remarkable man. He saw a spark in me and brought me into the UFT Queens office as a PM Staffer. I worked diligently for him in and out of the office. I became a NYSUT and AFT delegate and worked in the Queens office until November 2018. He was my friend as well as my mentor and I will miss his smile, his remarks and just being able to visit him.
Hi John,
Saw your post. Hope you and family are well during these trying times.
We just closed on our first ” sticks and bricks” residence after 19 years of being full time RVers.
We live in Florida
It is an honor to be a member of the UFT where colleagues like Mr. Donato served all his life for the betterment of everyone of us. May God bless the family in this challenging moment.
Vinny was like a father to me. I work at the Staten Island Office and when we were closed, I would work in Manhattan. Vinny always request to have me. I enjoyed working for him and he treated me like a son. I would do inventory for him in “the closet.” We lost a great man. RIP Vinny.
I got to know my “Uncle Vinny” when I returned to live in New York in my adult years. I lived in Brooklyn, but I relished the times my cousin Donna would pick me up and take me to Uncle Vinny and Aunt Flora’s house in Queens to eat dinner, have a barbeque, and just visit and catch up. Uncle Vinny always asked me if I wanted a glass of red and of course I always did. Fascination and admiration swirled as I listened to him speak of the union and teaching. I had joined my very first union ever in 1999 and my goal at that time was to teach for the NYDOE and join the teacher’s union. Uncle Vinny inspired me and my relationship with my own union at that time grew and grew. Later in life I became a member of 3 teacher’s unions. I attribute and owe my passion and belief in all of it to Uncle Vinny and my Grandfather, also a union member. And I will continue to fight the good fight in their honor. When I dine these days and drink my Italian wine, I see Uncle Vinny sitting across the table from me in his and Aunt Flora’s kitchen…telling one of his stories, the most genuine of smiles stretching across his face, his eyes encased in his wit, mischief, and overflowing kindness.
Vinicio was a special men, father, brother, cousin. I had the honor to know him, when was in italy to Scilla for know father family. I am.a part of his italian family one of more cousins which had have the honor of have one special men for cousin.
Care flora e Donna un abbraccio affettuoso e commosso. Vi ho conosciuto tantissimi anni fa e da quel giorno mi siete rimasti nel mio cuore. Vinicio era un cugino meraviglioso, affettuoso e simpatico e la sua perdita ha toccato il nostro cuore. Purtroppo la vita è questa, lui la vissuta in modo onorevole. Vi invio le mie e della mia famiglia più sentite condoglianze.
I am close to your pain Flora, Donna, Antonio for the loss of a very special and beautiful person inside and outise the dear cousin Vinicio that my father Rocco Loved very much and that I have the fond memories of when I was a little girl in chianalea – Italy. Knowing that I will never see again makes me sad I wanted to let him know my son Giuseppe Steven who is 2 years old. One day we will see each other in heaven togheter no ocean will be able to divide us plus strong hug I love you Anna da Scilla – Italy
I was fortunate to have worked on the 11th floor with Vinny over the past few years. He took care of all of us and I never thought that I could feel sadder than the day I saw him and Donna packing up his office. Vinny was a passionate unionist and more than that a wonderful friend and colleague. I know that Vinny and Denise are looking after each other up there. Rest In Peace Vinny. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Our Deepest Condolences love and respect to my friends Donna and Antonio your mom Florence , Janice Buzzeo and your Entire families, I’m honestly taken by his passing , our friendship and relationship will always be treasured , Vinny adopted me as his mechanic in our Meeting places , truly a man easy to love , respect and enjoy his company , he would open his heart his home , Vinny made gift giving and his Generosity as a warm and sincere Quality that I admired and wanted to Emulate in my own life, talking & listening sharing a cup of coffee and donuts or should I say Italian pastries were memorable times as other Welcoming events baseball games , plays , theater, radio city With the Rockettes , ice Capades Madison Square, Garden, I wish I would have stayed in touch in the latter years and talked to you about driving school buses and joining the NYSUT Union , I will always remember you as a strong young man In JHS 10 , sending my prayers to all xoxo RIP Vinny .
My Uncle Vinny was one of my dad’s younger brothers. I shall miss the somewhat contradicting stories the two would tell of their childhoods at family gatherings. However, I will never forget them.
It was a rare thing to leave a visit with him empty handed. He seemed to provide his family with the best of everything, yet could always find a good bargain.
He was a great cook and family man with a strong work ethic. Well known. Well respected. Well loved.
My deepest condolences to Aunt Fora, my cousin Donna, and her son Antonio.
I worked with Vinny for many, many years at the UFT. He and Flora attended my wedding and gifted me the most fabulous tasting wedding cake, to this day, 21 years later, people still talk about it! He even drove me to the hospital, during a snow storm to Manhattan when I went into labor, during one of our chapter leader training weekends in Princeton, NJ!! That was quite the weekend! He was so giving and always put others first. You could always depend on him. He was fun to be around and loved to laugh! Even after I left the UFT he still reached out to see how I was doing, that’s the kind of person he was. I will miss Vinny dearly. But I have to say that my MANY GOOD memories of him will keep him alive in my heart. We have all lost a truly wonderful person!!
I am lucky to say I had the opportunity of sharing in Vinny, Donna, Flora and Antonio’s life. We grew up together in Astoria. They are a second family to me. I had so much fun with vinny. Our trips to Alaska , Vegas and of course upstate in Hunter. Loved his shopping and looked forward to purchasing from him. Which he mostly charged me $1 for any item. I will truly miss him but consider myself one of the lucky ones for him sharing his family and life with me. Rest in Peace Vinny. Until we meet again.