Anthony D. Donofrio, loved fishing, cars
Anthony D. (Tony) Donofrio, 88, formerly of Lewes, departed this earth Monday, Sept. 18, 2023.
Tony was born Aug. 20, 1935, in Chester, Pa. At 9, he began work learning the art of shoe repair in his father's shoe shop on 9th and Highland Avenue in Chester, which he eventually operated until 1976. Tony graduated from Chester High School in 1953, where he was a member of the football team.
At 25, he met and married the love of his life, Joan, in 1960. They began their life together in Aston, Pa., where they would begin raising their three daughters, Maria, Christina and Dina.
A weekend fishing trip to Lewes in 1976 prompted him to relocate the family to where he would call home for 46 years. He opened and operated Central Shoe Repair on 3rd Street in Lewes for nine years. He also tended bar at Rehoboth Beach County Club, ran Lewes Yacht Club, and worked for Hoss’s Bait and Tackle. Tony’s love of fishing garnered him frequent write-ups in the local newspapers for reeling in the biggest catch. He was a proud member of Delaware Mobile Surf-Fishermen for years. His insatiable love of cars and racing inspired him to purchase Georgetown Speedway in 1983, where for four years, he poured his heart and soul into creating what many would call the best dirt track surface on the East Coast! After calling it quits in 1987, he later went on to work for R&R Bait and Tackle in Rehoboth, Delaware Bay & River Pilots Association, and finally as a greenskeeper at Baywood Greens golf course, where he finally retired at 82.
Tony loved to spend his time in his garage repairing cars, boats, and mowers, and also creating various arts and crafts. He also loved landscaping and caring for his yard, often receiving the compliment of having the best-looking yard in the neighborhood.
In October 2022, both he and his wife desired to see someplace other than Delaware. They traveled to Bozeman, Mont., where they would reside at Brookdale Assisted Living. Sadly, he said goodbye to his loving wife who lost her battle with stage 4 advanced cancer only nine days later. It didn’t take long for “Big Tone” to win over the hearts of the young caretakers there. They tended to his every need beautifully, and went above and beyond to accommodate all of his quirky requests.
All who knew Tony knew he had a zest for life and a spirit that just wouldn’t quit! His mind was strong and his desire to live even stronger; his physical body had just had enough.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Joan, only 10 months prior.
He is survived by his three daughters, Maria Donofrio, Christina Johnson and Dina Donofrio-Clark (husband Bryan Clark); two granddaughters, Jacqueline Donofrio and Jessica Johnson; and one great-grandson, Anthony Donofrio, all of Lewes.
A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
