Donald J. Attanasio

Donald J. Attanasio

Beloved Husband, Father and Grandfather, 84

Mr. Donald J. Attanasio, 84, of Nutley, NJ, passed away on Sunday, October 2, 2022 at Mountainside Hospital in Glen Ridge.  Visitation will be at the Biondi Funeral Home of Nutley, 540 Franklin Avenue on Thursday, October 6 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  The funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Friday, October 7 at 8:45 a.m.  There will be a funeral mass celebrated at Holy Family Church, 28 Brookline Avenue, Nutley at 10:00 a.m.  The interment will be at Glendale Cemetery, 28 Hoover Avenue, Bloomfield.

Don was born in Newark, NJ and resided in Nutley for the past 53 years.  He graduated from Carnegie Mellon Tech, Pittsburgh, PA with a degree in Theater.

His love of music led him to work as a song writer for recording artists Connie Francis and Cy Coleman, as well as ABC Music.  Some of his songs were also recorded by The Mills Brothers, The Blackwood Brothers and other artists.  Don produced and co-wrote the off-Broadway musical “Love and Let Love” based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.  

Years later, he became an English and Drama high school teacher, followed by working at the Division of Disability for the State of New Jersey.

For many years, Don was a lector at Holy Family Church where his booming voice will always be remembered.  He loved singing and was a member of the Montclair Barbershop Chorus.

Don is survived by her beloved wife of 57 years Patricia (nee Karafky) Attanasio, his devoted children Rev. Scott Attanasio and Jennifer Ferraioli and her husband Thomas; and also his cherished grandchildren with whom he was so proud of,  Noelle and Nicholas.

Mr. Attanasio is predeceased by his parents Fred and Lucy (nee Policastro) Attanasio and his brother Fred Attanasio.

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