Donald Albert LaMonica (“Don”) died peacefully at home in Leesburg, Florida on Thursday, October 20th surrounded by his family. He was born in Brooklyn, New York to the late Carmine and Mary LaMonica, on November 13, 1935. Don grew up in Queens, New York and graduated from John Adams High School in 1953. He was drafted into the Navy soon after, where he fulfilled a two-year commitment followed by four years of reserve service.
Upon his discharge from the Navy, Don had the good fortune to meet his now wife of 61 years, Rachel Guadalupe Gil. They were married on September 2, 1961, moved in with his parents and started a family. In 1964, with their two sons, they moved into their first home in West Hempstead, New York.
Don worked a variety of jobs before landing on a career in the airline industry, first with Sabena Airlines for 15 years, followed by American Airlines for 19 years until his retirement in December 2001. This career gave Don the unique opportunity to travel around the world with his family, including special trips to Italy, Lebanon, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and more. The travel continued throughout his retirement, with more than 25 cruises!
In West Hempstead, Don enjoyed baseball in all its forms, participating on intracompany baseball teams, coaching his sons’ baseball teams, and cheering for the New York Yankees. Don and Rachel spent their leisure time bowling (for 30 years!) and entertaining family and friends at both their West Hempstead home and their Poconos weekend home, often playing cards late into the night. And many will remember the LaMonica Super Bowl parties in New York and later in Florida, hosted for over 25 years.
Don and Rachel relocated to Staten Island in 2004, and built a home in Leesburg, Florida to enjoy first as snowbirds and starting in 2017 as full-time residents. In the Leesburg Plantation community, Don had the opportunity to explore his heritage as an active member of the Italian American Club and to indulge his enjoyment of warm weather by spending hours working on his yard.
But the centerpiece of Don’s retirement years was his seven grandchildren, spending summer family vacations on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, celebrating his 50th wedding anniversary with his entire family in Cancun, Mexico, and making countless trips to Cleveland for holidays, graduations, school plays, sporting events and birthdays. He also worked part time at Universal Studios for 13 years, to earn free passes for his grandchildren’s visits.
Don is survived by his wife Rachel; his sons Donald V. (Karen) of Shaker Heights, Ohio and Gregory M. (Katherine) of Chagrin Falls, Ohio; and his brother Michael LaMonica of Coram, New York. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Ryan, Eammon, Jason, Quinn, Kevin, Kate and Eric LaMonica; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his brother, C. Richard LaMonica.
Relatives and friends are invited to calling hours on Monday, October 24th from 3 to 5 pm at Beyers Funeral Home, Leesburg.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to: St Paul’s Food Pantry, 1321 Sunshine Ave, Leesburg 352-787-3012 ccstpaul.com/donate
