David E. Donatini, 76, of Ashland passed from this life early Friday morning, March 13, 2026, at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center with his family at his side.
He was born on May 1, 1949, in Canton, Ohio, the son of the late Arthur L. and Bruna A. (née Marzoppi) Donatini.
David graduated from Canton Central Catholic High School, Class of 1967. He furthered his education and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting from the University of Palm Beach in 1971.
He married the love of his life, the former Mary Christine Santangelo, on August 11, 1973.
David retired from Hawkins Market in 2014 after more than 35 years, finishing his career as the general manager at the Ashland store. Throughout his career, he opened several stores and continued to build upon the legacy that he was taught by his father-in-law – longtime Hawkins manager Leonard Santangelo – and by company founder Earl Hawkins. He was previously employed at the F.E. Myers Pump Company where he worked as a department manager in cost accounting and payroll.
David was a devoted member of St. Edward Roman Catholic Church. In his retirement years, he enjoyed restoring garden tractors and building model cars. He often built replicas for friends of their first cars. He served on the board for the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce and began the annual rib dinner in support of Balloonfest, originally beginning in the Hawkins parking lot. David was an avid gardener and meticulously maintained his yard. Most of all he loved attending extracurricular activities of his son and, in later years, his granddaughters. With a full schedule, he kept very busy and loved every minute of it.
He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Christine Donatini of Ashland; one son, Michael (Hilary) Donatini of Ashland; two granddaughters, Cora and Stella Donatini of Ashland; one sister, Rebecca (Gary) Austin of Jeromesville; one brother, Daniel (Robin) Donatini of Ashland; his sister-in-law, Pamela (Bill) Bugara of Solon; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Edward Catholic Church with Father Rod Kreidler presiding. Interment will follow in the Ashland County Memorial Park. Family and friends may visit on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service on Thursday, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Edward Catholic Church or St. Edward School, 501 Cottage Street, Ashland, Ohio 44805, or to Associated Charities, 240 Cleveland Avenue, Ashland, OH 44805.
For those unable to attend, online condolences may be shared on the funeral home’s website at denbowfh.com.
Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory is handling the arrangements.
Funeral Home: Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home
Website: denbowfh.com