Obituary of Donald Joseph DiCesare

Donald Joseph DiCesare 

July 22, 1939 – February 16, 2025

​It is with great sadness that the family of Don DiCesare announce his passing surrounded by his loved ones at the Western Long Term Care Palliative Unit on Sunday February 16, 2025, at the age of 85years.

​He leaves to mourn with fond and loving memories his wife of 63 years; Gertie DiCesare, son Don (Lisa) DiCesare, and daughter Judy (Rob) Sweetland. Grandchildren; Tonya (Jody) Pomeroy, Kirsten (Charlie) Sweetland, Donald (Jessica) DiCesare, Erika Sweetland, Nicholas (Krysha) DiCesare, Evan DiCesare, and Angelina DiCesare. And his great grandchildren - who at any moment you could catch him gleaming with pride talking about -Nicholas, David, Isaac, Calla, Libby, Donald, Daniel, Henry, and Tilly, and special in-laws Graham (Bernadette) MacDougall. Along with numerous cherished nieces, nephews and in–laws.

​Don was predeceased by his mother and father,Concetta and Donato, brother Norman DiCesare, sister Gloria MacDougall, and son Bradley DiCesare. Mother and father in-laws Pearl and Pius Farrell, brother in-law Thomas (Doug) Farrell, sister in-law Jane Crawley.

​Don was born the second son of Donato and Concetta DiCesare, Italian immigrants who settled in Sydney Nova Scotia, where he was born and raised. At the age of 18, he met the love of his life Gertie, and together they built a wonderful life for the next 63 years. Don got his first degree of Science at St Francis Xavier University in Antigonish Nova Scotia, later completing a degree in Civil and Structural Engineering at Nova Scotia Tech. After graduation, he worked with Bell Telephone in Ontario, and Maritime Tell in Nova Scotia. Later, he moved to Corner Brook in 1966 where he worked for three years as assistant city engineer for the City of Corner Brook, later moving on to the position of general manager of the Corner Brook Foundry and Fabrication Shop LTD. After a few years, Don opened his own engineering company, Atlantic Engineering Consultants LTD, which he successfully owned and ran for upwards of 50 years. Don absolutely loved his work and worked up until he fell Ill in his 85th year, although his love for engineering continued well into his final days, even noticing the spacing of the sprinklers in his hospital room ceiling. Don was a three-time President of theRotary Club of Corner Brook, actively involved in the Chamber of Commerce, and long-time serving member of West Coast Regional Appeal Board, along with multiple other groups and committees. He was always an active member of his community and selflessly devoted himself to his clients whenever needed. Most importantly, Don was devoted to his family, and there was no question of how much he loved them. He expressed his love through endless words of advice, kind gestures, and lots of laughs. Don was a mentor to many, especially to many members of the family. He was someone that was so easily looked up to andinstilled so many special values and morals in all of us. A deep void is left without him, but to grieve this deeply is a symbol of a beautiful life lived. We love and miss you so much already, Grampy. 

​Following Don’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 19th, 2025, at Fillatres Funeral Home, 4 St.Marks Avenue, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 20th, 2025, 4 St.Marks Avenue, at 2 p.m. with interment to follow at Mount Patricia Cemetery. Donations can be made to the Western Long Term Care Palliative unit.

The funeral service can be viewed through the following link

https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=d0315dea-a4f3-4b9d-88d6-79dfab545c83