Donald DeBonis, age 88, passed away peacefully at home on the evening of November 17, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Queens, NY to parents William and Theresa (Ferucci) DeBonis. On June 19, 1955, he married the love of his life Sandra DeBonis (nee' Zutkoff) at the Elegante Club in Brooklyn.

Don graduated from Hunter College in 1956 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1967, he graduated from City College with his Masters. For 36 years, Don worked as a Special Education Supervisor and science teacher for the NYC Department of Education. He also ran an After School program and worked as a Summer Camp Director. He won a Student Dedication Award from the PTA of NYC. In his spare time, Don loved to golf, listen to music, travel, and spend time with his children. He also loved reading mysteries, gardening, creative writing, and was an avid Yankees fan.

Don loved people and people loved Don. His greatest joys were being with his family and friends, telling jokes and bringing smiles to the faces of everyone he met. His life was filled with enhancing people's lives. As a young man, he loved running summer day camps where he took care of hundreds of children creating their summer memories. As a teacher, he loved his students and filled their heads with information and knowledge to last their lifetimes. As a dad, grandpa and uncle, he loved to share his knowledge and teach new skills to the little ones as they grew. And as a friend and neighbor, his greatest joy was making people laugh, telling off color jokes and being the life of the party.

Don is survived by his beloved wife Sandra DeBonis of Wappingers Falls; daughters: Rhonni Vazquez and her husband Jim of Orleans, MA, Lisa DeBonis and her husband Benny Palomba of Wappingers Falls, and Nanci Iovino and her husband Joe of Glen Ridge, NJ; grandchildren: Laura Vazquez of NY, NY, Rachel Vazquez of Washington D.C., Daniel DeBonis of Brooklyn, NY, Andrea DeBonis and her husband Dan Passalacqua of Danbury, CT, and Malorie Iovino of Glen Ridge, NJ.

Memorial calling hours will be held on Sunday November 20th from 2 – 4 pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc. 895 Route 82 Hopewell Junction NY. A funeral service will take place at 3:30 pm.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, Donations may be made in memory of Donald to Hudson Valley Hospice www.hvhospice.org or the American Cancer Society www.cancer.org