Obituary of Ryan M. Donato

ILION – Ryan Mikol Donato, age 26, left this world early Sunday morning, March 17, 2019, after a brief but determined battle with cancer. At the time of his passing, Ryan had the love and support of his family at his side.

Born on August 24, 1992, Ryan is the son of Mikol Donato, Jr. and Erin (Lynch) Donato. He was raised and educated in Ilion, graduating with the Ilion High School Class of 2010. He then went on to further his education at Herkimer County Community College.

Currently, Ryan was employed with the Hannaford Pharmacy in Herkimer where he worked as a pharmacy technician. He formed many close bonds with his co-workers and thoroughly enjoyed the field; as of late he had considered pursuing a career as a Pharmacist.

Ryan could only be described as a one-of-a-kind individual. He was eccentric, zany and extremely intelligent; self-taught in a number of things, from the French language (which he became very fluent in) to various musical instruments. He was skilled in playing the harmonica, accordion and bass guitar, which he used in jam sessions with his group 3M2F.

As an artist, Ryan was dedicated to drawing and painting. Not only would he create the artwork, but also the frame and canvas which he would display it on. Some of his work was so desirable that he was even able to sell it through his online art gallery.

One of his greatest passions in life was the game of tennis. Not only was he a fan but a gifted player; competing with the tennis team through high school and achieving the rank of First Team All-Star.

Ryan was a loving and caring son to his parents and their companions, Mikol Donato and Jennifer Macero of Ilion and Erin Donato and Rob Howe of Utica; and a devoted brother to his sister, Makayla Donato of Rochester. He also leaves his paternal grandmother, Doreen Donato and Al House of Oneida Lake; his paternal great-grandmother, Audrey “Bobo” Mahley of Florida; his aunts and uncles, Lori and John Russo of Marcy and Lori and Doozer Smith of Ilion; his cousins, Johnny Russo, Samantha Russo, Zachary Smith, Zane Smith and Zoey Smith; his longtime best friend, Kyle Grosse; along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and his canine buddies, Mila, Kobe, Jagger and Rex.

Ryan was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, John and Patricia Lynch and his paternal grandfather, Mikol Donato, Sr.

A special thank-you is extended to the doctors and nurses of the Faxton-St. Luke’s ICU; and to Dr. Atul Butala, Ryan’s oncologist, for the compassion, care and genuine concern shown to him throughout this illness.

Family and friends are invited to attend Ryan’s visitation which will be held on Wednesday afternoon, March 20, 2019 from 4:00PM – 7:00PM at the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, Town of Frankfort, Ilion, NY (315) 894-8000. Ryan’s funeral service will commence on Thursday morning, March 21, 2019 at 10:30AM at the Church of the Annunciation in Ilion, where his Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. Paul Catena, Pastor. Spring interment will take place in Armory Hill Cemetery.

For those wishing to do so, please consider memorial contributions to the Herkimer County Humane Society OR to the American Cancer Society. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Ryan’s family has entrusted his final arrangements to Harry and Kevin Enea and Martin L. Ciaccia, Funeral Directors. Online notes of sympathy may be left at www.eneafamily.com.