Joseph M. Donofrio

Joseph M. Donofrio, 80, passed away in his home surrounded by family on Thursday, September 28th, 2023. Joe was born July 6th, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois, to Ida and Joseph Donofrio. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Nicholas, sister Theresa, and grandson Andrew Joseph. He is survived by his wife, Dede; six children: Tabitha Citro (Mike), Kara Donofrio, Christine Brown (Doug), Andrea Donofrio, Ryan Donofrio (Lena), and Joelie Donofrio; and six grandchildren: Betsy, DJ, and Ben Brown; Garret and Colton Donofrio-Phelps; and Bear Joseph Donofrio.

Joe spent his early years in Chicago, where he attended St. Mary of Celle Catholic School. In 1957, his family moved to the suburb of Berwyn, while he attended St. Philips Catholic High School. After high school graduation, Joe attended Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL, where he majored in Accounting. Upon receiving his bachelor’s degree in 1965, he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico where he worked as a Certified Public Accountant.

In 1966, Joe enlisted in the Air National Guard and completed training in 1967. He deployed to Vietnam in 1968 and was assigned to the General Accounting department to ensure fellow troops were correctly paid. He completed his military service in 1969 and returned to Albuquerque to begin a career in the car sales industry.

In 1977, Joe moved to the Valley to set permanent roots in the great state of Arizona. Nine years later, in 1986, he married Dede Walsh. Over the next 37 years the two families blended into one large and loving unit. Joe’s career spanned 32 years and three states reaching its apex at Brown & Brown Chevrolet in Mesa, Arizona, where he forged and cultivated friendships and memories with everyone he encountered.

Outside of a long and successful career, his philanthropic pursuits spanned decades and continents. Joe was passionate about the health and well-being of children as he served as a board member of the Child Crisis Center-East Valley. He was also a proud Rotarian who enjoyed many years of fellowship and fundraising with the Mesa West Rotary Club, where he served as president and hosted multiple foreign exchange students. His involvement in the Tempe Sister Cities program offered additional opportunity to support and bring students from different countries together ensuring lasting friendships across the globe. In 1998, while health issues forced Joe’s professional career into early retirement, the effect of his on-going philanthropic actions remained widespread and evident in the lives of all he touched.

Joe and his family are forever grateful for the gift of a healthy heart transplant in April 2000. With what he called “borrowed time”, his health improved enough to become a “mediocre golfer on his best day.” He especially enjoyed his time spent and relationships built at Mesa Country Club in Mesa, and White Mountain Country Club in Pinetop, AZ. Organ donation blessed him, his family, and his friends with 23 additional years of good health and opportunities to enjoy life.

While he spent much of his time and energy building personal and professional relationships, at his core, Joe put family and faith above all. He instilled the principles of hard work, sacrifice, and service, as he demonstrated the values he taught. He was a dedicated husband, loving father, and loyal friend who will be missed by all.

The Donofrio family would like to thank the teams of healthcare providers from Thema Hospice and Mobile One Docs: Gloria, Anne, Terra, Chaplain Rex, and Chelsea. Our family is eternally grateful for everyone’s endearing visits, uplifting support, and overall kindness. To Antonia; your strength, grace, humor, and dedication to our family will endure in our hearts forever.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, October 5th, 10:00 am, at Our Lady of Joy Catholic Church. 36811 N. Pima Road, Carefree, AZ. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Child Crisis Center East-Valley, Thema Hospice, or Donor Network of Arizona.