Final Salute

In Loving Memory
Robert (Bob) Joseph D’Onofrio, age 87, of Petoskey, MI, formerly of Warren and Sterling Heights, MI passed away peacefully on October 17, 2022 at McLaren Hiland Cottage Hospice House in Petoskey.
Son of Filbert and Lucille D’Onofrio, Bob was born on April 17, 1935. Bob grew up in Detroit and he graduated from Denby High School. On Nov. 9, 1957 he married Janet Ann Wanzug. Bob worked for Detroit Edison in the power plant for 13 years and then the Detroit Board of Education as Chief Stationary Engineer until his retirement at age 65 in 1995.
Bob enlisted in the Naval Reserves at 18 years old and was called to serve active duty (1955-1957) in the Mediterranean Sea aboard the USS INGRAHAM DD-694 and worked as Engineer Chief Marine. His second call to active duty was served as a Seabee Utilitiesman First Class in Operation Desert Storm and Shield (1990-1991). Bob’s Military Naval service totaled 24½ years. He retired from the Navy in 1991.
Bob is survived by his loving wife Janet of 65 years, daughters Kathryn (Mike) D’Onofrio Cotter and Lila Barios D’Onofrio, son Jeffrey D’Onofrio, and brother August (Maureen) D’Onofrio of South Lyon, MI.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, sister Jean Weatherspoon, sons Andrew John D’Onofrio and Michael Robert D’Onofrio.
Bob was a jogger, swimmer, and wood carver. He also loved camping, playing racquetball, making wine, and being with family. Everyone loved Bob’s gentle and kind soul, the twinkle in his eyes, and his playful sense of humor.
The family would like to thank the care-workers of Laurus Home Care and the nursing staff of McLaren Hiland Cottage Hospice House for their excellent compassionate care. Also, we extend our gratitude to the many friends who lifted us up in love, prayers, empathy, encouragement, and hugs!
A funeral mass will be held in the chapel (third floor) of Independence Village in Petoskey on Friday, November 4, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. with Father Gregory McCallum of St. Francis church conducting the service.
Burial and a 21 Gun Salute will take place in the spring (2023) at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, MI (TBA).
Bob and his family enjoyed watching the birds at the feeders outside his window which faced the Hiland Cottage Memorial Garden.
Those wishing to make a charitable donation in Bob’s memory to help maintain the birdfeeders at the Hiland Memorial Garden may make them to:
Hiland Cottage Memorial Garden
360 Connable Ave.
Petoskey, MI 49770
Online: www.mclaren.org/northern-michigan-foundation/home-care-and-hospice-foundation
(Go to: Area of Support (Other) and type in Hiland Cottage Memorial Garden)
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Robert “Bob” J. D’Onofrio, please visit our floral store.

Published by Stone Funeral Home – Petoskey on Oct. 25, 2022.