ASHTABULA — Donald Meola, age 89, of Ashtabula, passed away at Saybrook Landing on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013.
Born Dec. 6, 1923, in Ashtabula, he was the third son to Ernest and Anna (Mauro) Meola. Donald attended Ashtabula High School class of 1941. After high school, he worked at the Ashtabula Ship Yard along with his father and brothers. He enlisted in the Navy in 1943 and served with the Amphibious Unit of the Atlantic Fleet. He was on an LST transferring troops to the Normandy Invasion.
After the war, he worked for the New York Central and the Penn Central Railroads, retiring after 37 years with the Store Keeping Dept. His life was devoted to his wife, family and church, serving as a Eucharistic minister, festival worker and Wednesday night Bingo worker. He followed all of his children and grandchildren’s school sports and activities. He was a 30 year member of the YMCA, lap swimming atleast three times a week. Donald was an avid reader and was a member of Friends of the Library.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years Palma Meola of Ashtabula; three sons, Donald Meola of Ashtabula, Tom (Renee) Meola of Ashtabula and Ben (Christine) Meola of Painesville; daughter, Marianne Meola of Ester Fla.; grandchildren, Krista (Joe) Toula, Jordan (Kevin) Rinehardt, Shelby Meola, Shannon Meola, Nicholas Meola, Benjamin Meola and Joseph Meola; brother, Ralph Meola of Ashtabula; and a sister-in-law, Jean Meola of Ashtabula.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Anthony, David, Ernest and John Meola.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m., Monday, March 4th, in Our Lady of Peace Parish, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, with burial to follow in Saint Joseph Cemetery. Military Honors will be conducted by the American Legion Honor Guard Team from Post #103.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, at GUERRIERO FUNERAL HOME, 1550 W. 19th St., Ashtabula.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Our Lady of Peace or Saint John School.
Obituary and condolences at starbeacon.com.
