Donald Avellino Sr.

Obituary for Donald Avellino, Sr

May 23, 1936-January 14, 2024

Donald Joseph Avellino, Sr., age 87, of Audubon, Pennsylvania, passed away on January 14^th, 2024, with his adoring wife Cynthia by his side.

Born in West Chester, PA in 1936, he was the son of the late Margaret O’Brien and Anthony Avellino, Sr. Donald grew up at St. Mary’s Orphanage in Ambler, PA until he was adopted by his biological father, Anthony Avellino, Sr., and wife Margaret Cassidy Avellino at 13 years of age. He moved to Havertown, PA and graduated from West Catholic High School in 1956. Don served two years in the US Army in Ulm, Germany before returning home to marry his high school sweetheart, Cynthia Loewen. Together they started a remarkable life. Don began his career as a steam fitter but joined his father’s and uncle’s tire business while in its infancy in North Philadelphia. Don’s role in the family business, Avellino’s Tire and Auto Service Centers, was pivotal; expanding it to twenty-five stores and two wholesale distribution centers across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Don retired and sold the company in 1999. A philanthropist, he was a member of the Patrons, an organization helping those in need, and was a regular contributor to Shriners Hospital and St. Jude’s Hospital for Pediatric Cancer.

Retirement brought joyous moments, traveling between homes in Naples, FL, and Ocean City, NJ. Don’s greatest joy was his family. Together, he and Cynthia raised their large family along Philadelphia’s Main Line. Lovingly known as “Pop-Pop,” Don was the proud grandfather to thirty-four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren with another grandchild and a great grandchild on the way. In later years when his health started to decline, Donald and Cynthia moved to Shannondell at Valley Forge, a life care community. His legacy lives on through his loving family and the impact he made in business and philanthropy.

In addition to being a dedicated and devoted husband to Cynthia, Donald was brother-in-law to Sandra Loewen, Sylvia McFadden and the late Ronald Loewen. He was the brother of the late Anthony Avellino, Jr. He was a devoted father to ten children:

Susan (Douglas) Portner; grandfather to: Heather Hartman, Devon (Jonathan) Heim, Ryan (Jaici) Kelly, Olivia Portner, and Connor Portner and fiancée Aerin Doughty; great grandfather to Lilly Hartman, Catherine Hartman, Caroline Hartman, Kaleigh Heim, and Liam Heim.

Father to R. Donald (Carolyn) Avellino, Jr., Avellino; grandfather to R. Donald “DJ” (Brittany) Avellino III, Matthew (Bria) Avellino, and Carolyn “Callie” Avellino; as well as great grandfather-to-be to Valentina Avellino due on Donald’s birthday in May 2024.

Father to Mark (Mark Charles “MC”) Avellino-Misilli, grandfather to Marli Avellino and Galileo Avellino.

Father to Anne “Nancy” (Jim) Avellino-Donaghy; grandfather to Mallory (Nicholas) Baldo, Meredith Bulgarelli and fiancé Andrew Kirkland, and Madison Bulgarelli; Bonus grandfather to Paige and Evan Donaghy.

Father to Cynthia Avellino; grandfather to Alexis Modica, Catherine (Catie) Modica, and Lauren Modica.

Father to Alexandra (Brian) Devlin; grandfather to Kevin (Taylor) Nichols, Taylor Nichols-Clonts and Parker Clonts, Aidan Nichols, Bridget Devlin, Anya Devlin, and Caroline Devlin; great grandfather to John Donald Clonts.

Father to Jennifer Avellino; grandfather to Maxwell Christopher Avellino, Blake Austin (Olivia) Gardner and, Shane Stewart Gardner and Luke David Kenkelen; great grandfather to Daxton Anthony Gardner and Kinsley Anne Gardner.

Father to Melissa (Robert) Holt; grandfather to Emma Carl and Annabelle “Liz” Holt.

Father to Scott (Mimi) Avellino; grandfather to Scott Avellino Jr., Maggie Avellino, the late Andrew Avellino, Sarah Avellino, and the late Carly Faith Avellino.

Father to Allison (Linsey) Avellino-Levine; Grandfather-to-be to baby girl Levine due in March 2024.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Visitation on Sunday, January 21, 2024, between 4:00-6:00 PM at D’Anjolell Memorial Home at 2811 West Chester Pike in Broomall, PA 19008, and again on Monday January 22, 2024, from 9:30-10:45 AM at St. Anastasia Roman Catholic Church at 3301 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 19073. A mass will follow at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, Don requested donations be made to Andrews’ Friends Fund https://andrewsfriendsfund.com/ in honor of his late grandson Andrew, or Shriners Hospital for Children.

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