Donald J. Amato

A Wife's Tribute to My Husband, Don

There are no words that can fully express what Don meant to me or the depth of the loss I feel in saying goodbye to him. He was my husband, my best friend, my partner, my greatest blessing, and the one and only love of my life.

We loved each other unconditionally. Through every season of life—the joyful days and the difficult ones—we faced everything together. During his long illness, it was my honor and privilege to care for him. While those years were often challenging, they were also filled with moments of tenderness, laughter, faith, and a love that only grew stronger with time. Caring for Don was never a burden; it was an expression of the love we shared.

Don's faith became one of the most important parts of his life. He came to Christ in his late forties, and while that transformation may have seemed surprising to some who knew him in his younger years, those closest to him witnessed the genuine change that took place in his heart. His adoptive parents, Frank and Andrea, played a profound role in that journey. Through their love, guidance, and example, they helped lead him to Christ and showed him what it meant to live a life rooted in faith. They were his foundation, his safe harbor, and two of the people he admired most.

Andrea's passing in December makes this farewell especially bittersweet, and it comforts me to imagine them reunited. This celebration honors two extraordinary lives and the legacy of faith, love, and devotion they leave behind.

Family meant everything to Don, whether related by blood or by choice. The Talbot family became our chosen family and loved us as their own. Mike Talbot was Don's best friend, his confidant, and truly a brother to him. Mirian Talbot has one of the kindest hearts I have ever known. Through every hardship, she cared for both of us with unwavering love, compassion, and generosity.

Don held a very special place in his heart for his goddaughter, Jeanette Talbot. He loved her dearly and was incredibly proud of the remarkable woman she became. Watching her build a career as a Nurse Practitioner in Psychology brought him so much joy. He never missed an opportunity to tell people how proud he was of her.

Junior was also deeply loved by Don and brought him countless smiles through the years and was the youngest attendee at our wedding, still growing in his mommy's tummy. Juan has been part of our lives since before Don and I were married and remained someone very special to us both. The love Don had for each of them was genuine and unwavering. The Paulus family also occupies a treasured place in our hearts. Don never forgot Brent, who courageously battled ALS before his passing. Bryan remained one of Don's greatest supporters and one of the people most capable of making him laugh, even on his hardest days. His friendship was a gift.

We are also deeply thankful for our dear friends Bruce and Cheryl Greeley. We spent so much time together over the years, and their friendship meant the world to us. Their kindness and generosity were evident in so many ways, including building a ramp so Don could easily access their home. Their love, support, and friendship will always hold a special place in our hearts, and always hold a special place in my heart. They brought so much laughter and joy to Donny.

We are deeply grateful to the incredible hospice team who cared for Don and supported us throughout this journey. Tina quickly became someone we loved and trusted. Kathy cared for Don with great tenderness, Sarah always lifted his spirits, Lauren ensured every detail was handled with compassion, Leslie brought him comfort and peace, and Thais was there whenever we needed her most. These remarkable women became like family, and their kindness, compassion, and love carried us through the most difficult time of our lives. I will hold them forever in my heart.

There is another group of people whose kindness and dedication deserve special recognition: the caregivers who helped us through the most difficult years of Don's illness. We were blessed by so many compassionate souls, but especially Sandy and Linda, whose care, patience, and love meant the world to both of us. They cared for Don with dignity, respect, and genuine affection, and I will forever be grateful for the comfort they brought to our lives. We are also deeply thankful for Erin, Cheryl, Latisha, and Omayra. Each of them became part of our extended family. Their support lightened our burdens, brightened our days, and made it possible for us to focus on what mattered most—loving one another. We loved them all dearly, and their kindness will never be forgotten.

Don is survived by his biological brothers, Art and Tom. Although life sometimes takes families in different directions, the bond Don shared with Art remained strong and special throughout the years. He is also lovingly remembered by his cousin Tammy, whose love and support meant so much to him.

There are no words to fully express the love and gratitude I feel for the incredible hospice team who cared for Don and walked beside us on this journey. From the moment we met them, it felt as though we had known them forever. Tina spent hours with us that very first night and quickly became someone we loved and trusted. Kathy cared for Don with such tenderness and devotion through his final days. Sarah's visits always brightened his spirits, and he looked forward to seeing her. Lauren worked tirelessly behind the scenes, making sure every detail of his care was attended to with compassion. Leslie helped bring Don comfort and peace as he prepared to go home to Heaven. Thais was there for me during some of our hardest after hours moments. These remarkable women did far more than provide medical care—they became part of our family. Their kindness, compassion, and love carried us through the most difficult time of our lives, and I will hold them forever in my heart.

Don was larger than life. He was goofy, funny, and had a way of making people laugh when they least expected it. Before illness changed so much, he was an accomplished bodybuilder who took his training very seriously. Friends and family still laugh when they remember him walking around with baked potatoes stuffed into his pockets so he would always have a source of carbohydrates close at hand. Fitness wasn't just a hobby—it was a way of life.

He loved hard rock and the great hair bands of the 1980s, and his music was often the soundtrack to our home. He was proud of being an Eagle Scout and loved sharing stories about his scouting days, especially the time he spent working in the kitchen with George Dion. Don was a man's man in many ways, but he also treasured the lifelong friendships he shared with the women who had been part of his life since high school. Jolyn, Gayle, Diane, Lisa, and Angela remained dear friends, and he loved every opportunity to spend time with them.

Don had a special gift for caring for others. He attended culinary school and especially enjoyed baking bread, finding joy in creating something that could be shared with family and friends. He worked in many different roles throughout his life, including as a beloved CNA at Port Rehabilitation, where his compassion and dedication touched many lives. He also worked in utilities at the airport and later as a personal trainer, helping others achieve goals he had worked so hard to accomplish himself.

Above all, Don loved his family—including the four-legged members. His dogs, Janey, Gronk, and Cora, brought him endless joy and companionship. His cats, Shawn and Sam, adored him and were never far from his side. The love he gave to his animals reflected the kindness and loyalty he showed to everyone fortunate enough to know him.

One of the cruelest parts of Multiple System Atrophy was that it gradually took away so many of the things Don loved—the strength he had worked so hard to build, the independence he valued, and the activities that brought him joy. Yet even as the disease changed his body, it never changed who he was at his core. His sense of humor remained, his love endured, and the strength of his spirit could not be taken from him.

If you knew Don, you knew his loyalty. You knew his sense of humor. You knew that when he cared about someone, he cared with his whole heart. But most of all, you knew his capacity for love.

My greatest comfort today is knowing that his suffering has ended and that he is finally home with the Lord he loved. I can picture him healthy and whole again, embraced by those who went before him and welcomed into the arms of Jesus.

Though my heart is broken, I am endlessly grateful for every moment we shared. Loving Don was the greatest privilege of my life. If I had to do it all over again—the joys, the struggles, the caregiving, the tears, and the laughter—I would choose him every single time.

Until we meet again, my love.

Forever your wife,

Michelle

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." — 1 Corinthians 13:13

Arrangements:
Calling hours at the Highland Chapel of Paul C. Rogers Family Funeral Home, 2 Hillside Avenue, Amesbury, will be held on Wednesday, June 17th, from 4-8 p.m.  A funeral service will be held Thursday, June 18th at 10:30 a.m. at South Hampton Baptist Church, 10 Jewell Street, South Hampton, NH.