PROFESSOR CARMEN F. DONNARUMMA

The family of Carmen F. Donnarumma announces his passing on March 18, 2013 at his residence in Southbury, Connecticut. He leaves his beloved spouse of nearly sixty-four years, Louise Giordano Donnarumma. Surrounded by family, he created a peaceful and loving process as he left this life to his eternal life.

Born in Waterbury, Connecticut on July 26, 1922, he was the son of Francesco and Maria Donnarumma. He grew up on Ward Street with his sister, Margherita, who predeceased him in her infancy, and his sister Lee Donnarumma, who survives him in Southbury.

Carmen was the product of Walsh School and Crosby High School, the Waterbury powerhouse secondary school which propelled many children of immigrants to academic success and prominence.

He earned his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees studying at Fordham University and Columbia University in New York. Through his education, Carmen became enamored of and fully embraced the Jesuit ideals and tradition of rigorous scholarship in education. He was recruited to teach at Fordham College Preparatory School and, then, directed, by the Jesuits, to Fairfield College Preparatory School. In 1947, he was among the initial faculty of Fairfield University and taught on the very first day classes commenced at that Jesuit university. Carmen achieved the rank of full Professor and taught there until his retirement in 1992. He was awarded a Doctorate of Humane Letters by the University. His impact at the University was so meaningful that the faculty office building was named Donnarumma Hall and his memory forever graces the campus and university he so loved.

He was a revered mentor, instructor, and life-guide to students, many of whom continued to seek his care, concern and wisdom across the decades. His final days were punctuated by numerous visits from alumni, along with friends and family.

Carmen was a keen participant in community life, serving in leadership of Catholic Family Services of Waterbury, Inc., the Knights of Columbus, the State of Connecticut Board of Parole, the Statewide Grievance Committee of the Connecticut Judicial Branch, the Waterbury City Plan Commission and others. He taught law as adjunct faculty at the Connecticut State Police Academy. He was a trustee of St. Margaret of Scotland Roman Catholic Church prior to moving from Waterbury. He prized among his many recognitions the designation of Knight of Saint Gregory the Great by the papacy of the Roman Catholic Church.

Carmen was a valued public speaker, beginning in the 1950s and extending through his life. He was admired for his contemporaneous, unscripted speeches which could soar with grand oratory. It was his personal touch, one-on-one, though, that was marked by humility and a genuine interest in others. Always a commanding public presence, he most valued his time with family and friends, sharing traditional Italian Sunday dinners, and enjoying conversation with an assuring Scotch on the rocks. His signature cigar and red handkerchief, omnipresent for years, are remembrances all share.

Carmen loved his wife, Louise; profoundly cared for his sister, Lee; and bore tremendous pride in those he leaves, including his daughter Mary Donnarumma Sharnick and her husband Wayne of Beacon Falls; his son Michael Donnarumma and his wife Ellen and grandchildren George and Erin of Cheshire; his daughter Teresa Wasil and her husband Edward and grandchildren Emily and Ethan of Columbia, Maryland; and, his son Francis Donnarumma and his wife Maureen and grandchildren Alessandra, Egon, Caroline, and Colin of Woodbury.

Memorials: none specified.

Cemetery: Cemetery Not Applicable

Location: Munson-Lovetere Woodbury

Funeral: St. Teresa's Church

Services: A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Teresa of Avila Roman Catholic Church, 146 Main Street South, Woodbury at 10: 00 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Burial will take place in Woodbury at the convenience of the family.

Visitation: Calling hours will be held at the Woodbury Funeral Home of Munson Lovetere, 2 School Street, from 4: 00 p.m. through 8: 00 p.m. on Friday, March 22, 2013.