Tribute Wall
Friday
11
September
Visitation
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Friday, September 11, 2020
Gallaway & Crane Funeral Home
101 South Finley Avenue
Basking Ridge, New Jersey, United States
Loading...
K
Kathryn posted a condolence
Thursday, September 17, 2020
Offering our condolences for your loss. May fond memories, dear friends and earnest prayer bring comfort and strength at this difficult time. Isaiah 41:10
E
Ed Harris posted a condolence
Thursday, September 17, 2020
Condolences Ann (Jon and to the rest of the Sisto family),
I never met you but went to college with Don and saw him occasionally after we graduated. I was good friends with Captain Chris Kelly a close friend of Don's during our college days. I just heard the tragic news. Sending love and condolences. He was a good man and a lovely person.
May his memory be a blessing to you all,
Ed
212.503.6560
D
Debbie Bracaglia posted a condolence
Monday, September 14, 2020
Ann - I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Don coached my son Tim in hockey and not only was he a great coach, he was a kind and caring person. I know that he will be missed by all who knew him. My sincerest sympathies to you and the kids.
P
Peter Ingraham posted a condolence
Saturday, September 12, 2020
Like others, I was lucky enough to meet Don through mountain biking. I'm not sure but we must have had mutual friends from the beginning. I used to see him at Chimney Rock and Lewis Morris and many times we rode together. He was a really strong rider, in terrific shape and had the rare ability to make lots of funny conversation throughout our rides. I remember one week night I saw him in the lot at Chimney Rock and I was not sure if he was starting or finishing his ride so I asked and he said "got to go beat myself up" (on the trail). Then we would talk for about an hour, he loved to talk about his family or anything really. He was like an old friend in the way that you don't want the conversation to end. I finally said "you better go beat yourself up Don before it gets dark out". Later we discovered that we belong to the same church and that we have other mutual friends. I used to see him around town. One time I saw him at the plaza in Bernardsville and he would engage in conversation with person after person, it was like he was the mayor or a celebrity. Great guy, big loss for our community, I will certainly miss him
S
Sean and Mimi O'Donnell posted a condolence
Friday, September 11, 2020
Ann, Sam and Emily,
Mimi and I are so sorry to hear about Don. There aren't words to describe the loss that you must be feeling but hopefully you can take solace that there are so many superlatives to describe the impact your husband and father had on others. You must be very proud of him. He had a unique way about him that he could make everyone feel like his best friend. I feel fortunate that I had the opportunity to know him. Whether we were sweating on the side of a soccer field or freezing in a hockey rink, he always had a smile on his face. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless.
H
Hillary Jackson lit a candle
Friday, September 11, 2020
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/Candle4.png
DONALD....... I was BLESSED to have known Donald for almost 40 years. There are not enough wonderful words to describe the LOVING, GENTLE, KIND man Donald was. He had the ability to make you feel special and heard. Being Donald’s friend made me a better person and the world a kinder place. All our memories will live on in his BEAUTIFUL wife Annie, his SWEET, LOVING Sam and Emily and all his friends. Our world has lost a dear husband, father, brother, son in law, and friend.
LOVE YOU FOREVER AND MISS YOU!
LOVE,
HILLY
K
Kristie and Michael Soriano posted a condolence
Friday, September 11, 2020
Our hearts are broken for your family. Don was one of the nicest most genuine men we have ever met. The hours we spent together with Mike and Sam with lacrosse games and tournaments are memorable. Don always had a positive outlook and made you feel like he was interested in what you had to say. For the Soriano family Sam is pretty close to the same genuine positive kind hearted young man that Don was. Don's personality and soul live on in Sam. We are so sorry for your loss.
Kristie and Mike
Michael Hegedus posted a condolence
Friday, September 11, 2020
It is with great sadness I hear of Donny’s passing.
I met him at hockey, and instantly felt his friendship. Always a welcoming hand and genuinely warm smile to say hello.
His calm confidence and gentle spirit was grounding and magnetic. It made everyone feel that they were in a better place, and fortunate to be his friend.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his beautiful family Ann, Sam and Emily. And John, a big hug my friend! No words can express that kind of sadness.
A
Annette Glorius and Jim Patrick lit a candle
Friday, September 11, 2020
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/v2/candles/candle_greenball.png
R
Ron Bevan posted a condolence
Friday, September 11, 2020
Donald was truly one in a million. I met Donald more than a decade ago, when I was fortunate to be recruited for the elite Dallas hockey squad. Many awesome memories of Donald over the years. What stands out most was Donald's warmth and his ability to make newcomers comfortable. I always admired Donald for his healthy balance of family, career, interests and exercise. He was a role model for us all. Donald amazed me with his ability to talk about anything with a well informed point of view. We were lucky to also get to know Sam. While a very nice young man, he definitely wasn't fun to play against. But like Donald, he's got awesome people skills so we forgave him for having so much talent and so little fatigue. Donald was also very proud of Emily, we chatted many times about how well she was doing in her young career. Kristen and I met Ann when Donald hosted a party at his house. I think it was the 50th for our friend Sudbury. We could tell right away that Donald and Ann had a very warm and welcoming home, I'm sure it saw many great events. Donald and John were very blessed to have such a great partnership and friendship for so many years. I know that a family business can be very difficult, but they were two peas in a pod, such a great pair. Kristen and I send our prayers and love to the Sisto family at this incredibly sad and difficult time. Donald will be sorely missed but never forgotten.
J
Jonathan Farrell posted a symbolic gesture
Friday, September 11, 2020
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/v2/heart.png
Sharing my condolences with Don and his family. I only knew Don through the cycling community and would see him not often enough to say that we were great friends. But for the few times we have ridden together I knew immediately he was a wonderful man in every piece of his life. He had the most astonishing Humor that was enjoyed so much it would put a smile on my face every time he spoke... This man will be dearly missed and I will be certain to devote my next cycling ride to him and his family and I hope that everyone else does something in the same... RIP @sistodonald love you man...
R
Rich Napolitano lit a candle
Friday, September 11, 2020
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/Candle4.png
John - I’m sorry to hear of Don’s passing. He always had a smile on his face & a gift for laughter. Condolences to your entire family.
Rich (Napolitano)
J
Joe DiMaria posted a symbolic gesture
Thursday, September 10, 2020
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/v2/baseball.png
Don had Ability to light up the room . The first 5 seconds I met him I felt like I knew him and Ann for 30 years because that’s how welcoming he was . It was a privilege to be in your life . Heaven is Blessed to have you .
P
Paul Fitzhenry uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, September 10, 2020
/public-file/953/Ultra/4d6701a8-5434-47d5-adfe-229826918c88.jpg
/public-file/954/Ultra/83cd1c27-3376-470c-b493-ab194b42fc2c.jpg
/public-file/955/Ultra/b6e043cb-de60-4507-88bd-c53da3a69ae5.jpg
So many memories of this wonderful guy. I had the good fortune to spend time with Donald pursuing his many passions - biking, skiing, playing hockey and golf, cooking, enjoying a glass of wine. He enriched all our lives in so many ways. Donald took a deep interest in everyone’s lives and was always the one to offer help, lend a hand, wait for the slowest guy coming down the mountain. It was never about him, always about you, your family, when we can get together next for a bike ride, pizza, a beer, whatever. Just one of the guys to all of us but so much more. A great husband to Ann, father to Sam and Emily, uncle and everything in the world to his brother John. We have all lost a great friend, a kind, humble man who offered so much to world and expected nothing in return. RIP Donny we love you.
Paul Fitzhenry & family
W
Will and Joanne DiGiovanni posted a condolence
Thursday, September 10, 2020
Donald embodied everything that is good in a human being. I will always cherish the memories of car shows, concerts or working on a restoration or two. Donald introduced me to Formula 1 and Lotus cars. I rode shot gun with Donald in a Autocar dump truck hauling loads of sand down at the Exxon refinery in Linden and in the orange and black UEX parts truck. I took my drivers test in Donald's VW Rabbit.
I would use his license to get into bars. He treated me as a brother. He later would extend his kindness and generosity to my daughter Ashley and her husband Matt.
A devoted husband and father. We spoke often of our daughters and the subtle nuances of parenting in general. Donald had a wonderful sense of humor with a appreciation for the absolutely ridiculous. Delightfully sarcastic. We will miss him dearly and our hearts go out to Ann, Sam, Emily and John. His memory will forever live on. Fare thee well my brother...
D
Drew uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, September 10, 2020
/public-file/952/Ultra/a94e954a-f65c-46a4-a6a9-9c37b7d0383f.jpeg
Dear Sisto Family
My deepest sympathy as I was a long time mountain biking buddy of Don’s and actually rode with him over this weekend at Lewis Morris Park.
Sadly he will be missed as we often talked about his deep love for your son and daughter. His love for his children and family was always part of our trail conversations.
We would share our passion for old Triumph’s and BMW’s and many conversations about healthcare.
Sensitive, caring, and quite a biker. He will be missed.
Rest In Peace my friend.
Drew
M
Melody Ware lit a candle
Thursday, September 10, 2020
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/Candle.png
Dearest Annie,
Donald’s love for you, Sam and Emily will forever light the path ahead.
Marisa Chieco Christmas uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, September 10, 2020
/public-file/951/Ultra/637b7742-ca5d-4c4f-9333-7e34614651c9.jpeg
Ann, thank you for sharing your love of yoga with Donald. I loved teaching Donald and now that I've read the beautiful obituary I think I've cracked the code about why he loved my classes so much. I must have hooked him with Romeo & Juliet by Dire Straits on one of my playlists. I adored Donald so much and didn't even mind getting stuck at the studio for many many minutes after class ended just talking! The world
lost a wonderful person and I will keep your whole family in my prayers.
A
Al haiback posted a condolence
Thursday, September 10, 2020
So sorry for your loss!
And then the man he steps right up to the microphone
And says at last just as the time bell rings
"Goodnight, now it's time to go home"
Then he makes it fast with one more thing
"We are the Sultans
We are the Sultans of Swing!
Al Haiback and Family
E
Erin Sumka posted a condolence
Thursday, September 10, 2020
I was so sorry to hear of Don's passing. As I read the obituary, some words certainly rang true. Working at the YMCA, Don would come in and always have the time and patience to share a conversation. Our daughters went to school together, but I didn't know Don well. But whenever he came to the Y he felt like a friend. So warm and friendly. So sorry for the family.
G
Gary Holck lit a candle
Thursday, September 10, 2020
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/Candle.png
What a great guy Don was!
The first time I met him, I was raking the front yard and he told me that my house was screaming for a renovation.
So sorry for your loss.
The Holck’s.
J
Jim Hooton uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, September 10, 2020
/public-file/950/Ultra/67ce20b1-b5db-4a3c-ad7a-153c396fc5b7.jpg
I'm so sorry for your loss! Don and I were friends back at Allegheny College. He was such a smart, kind, fun person. It's awesome he kept up his love for BMWs. Back in college he was the only one of our group of friends with a car, and we all thought that BWM was the pinnacle of a cool car. I'm sorry we lost touch, but I'm heartened to hear that he clearly had a great, full life surrounded by love. Jim Hooton, class of '81.
N
Natasha Kaiser posted a condolence
Thursday, September 10, 2020
For over 13 years, Matt and I have been blessed to share our little lane and raise our family with Donald, Ann, Sam and Emily. I will miss starting my days with a wave or a quick chat with Donald as he went off to work. He always had time to ask how we were doing, to offer his help or to share a little bit of his humor or knowledge. It's impossible to put into words the impact he has had on our lives. We will miss our dear friend every minute of every day as we look across the street and see the beautiful home he and Ann have created and filled with love.
J
Joe Korb posted a condolence
Thursday, September 10, 2020
Like many people I knew Donald through hockey. In my case over 20 years. Every week during the season Donald would immediately lighten the room when he arrived. His sense of humor and good nature would even get the grumpiest of us feeling fresh. This carried over during the skates. Donald was always talking on and off the ice yet was competitive as all good athletes are. When he would bring a grown up Sam to play with us you immediately saw in Sam what a great parent he had been and was. Donald also showed his compassion and humanity when talking to people one on one. We have all lost a great guy and our hearts go out to his family. He will always be in our memory.
R
Robert Middleton lit a candle
Thursday, September 10, 2020
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/Candle.png
Rest In Paradise...
C
Chris Miller posted a condolence
Thursday, September 10, 2020
What a great loss! I knew him through church when he and I were sitting in the balcony and there were no seats and no "view" of the pulpit and he said "here we are in radio land!" I will always think of him and "radio land" every time I sit in that balcony. His friendship meant a lot to me and we at times would share joys and laughter as well as concerns. In the short time I knew him he was a light. He will be sorely missed. My prayers for Ann and his family.
R
Rebecca & Dan Kirk and Family posted a condolence
Thursday, September 10, 2020
There never seem to be words adequate enough to express the shock and sadness that we feel. We may not have known Don as well as most but every moment around him was enjoyable and conversations were always interesting and genuine. It was reflected in your entire family. Our love, thoughts, and prayers are with you Ann, Sam and Emily; and whatever else we can do for you.
C
Cheryl McKenna posted a condolence
Thursday, September 10, 2020
The world will miss your kindness and compassion. Ann, Sam and Emily...know that we are here for you
C
Cam Witt posted a condolence
Thursday, September 10, 2020
Don was such a kind and generous and genuine man, that his friendship sort of snuck up on me. It started when we frequently passed one another on the mountain bike trails and simply waved. Next thing I knew, we were riding together, and working out together at Excel, and sitting together in church. Serendipitous is how I would describe our friendship - surprised by joy. I am sure many others experienced Don in the same way. His goodness was magnetic, and the sincerity of his love for his family and friends was as natural as breathing. I am grateful that Don left all of us with so many memorable moments to remind us that it was a privilege to be a part of his life.
G
George Larson posted a condolence
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Donald(Rock) and I go back to ninth grade. Easy to like the first time I met him. He gave me my first nickname, Jorge. My favorite memory is of he and I traveling to visit colleges in upstate, NY in his dad’s Mercedes 2 door SL. Don and I must have broken a world record for a 255 mile drive—all during a snow storm! He was a master driver, even at that age. We shared a love for cars, driving and Emerson Fittapaldi. Donald was a kind, gentle soul who always sought the truth. His love for his family was unmatched. He will be missed by many. I am confident that Ann, Emily and Sam will carry on his legacy. George Larson
G
Garrett Keating Posted Sep 10, 2020 at 10:50 PM
I think the last time I saw Donald was high school graduation. From reading other accounts, the classmate I knew hasn’t changed - kind, always pleasant and genuinely concerned for others. I always remember Donald when I see a BMW 2002. My sympathies to Ann and the children and the Sisto family.
Garrett Keating
J
John Gilson uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
/public-file/949/Ultra/d7a93b1a-6036-4ec1-a7bb-2cfd6e9a8549.jpg
I have no words, just beautiful memories.
Love to Ann, Sam, Emily and John.
John & Flo Gilson
S
Sissy Cecchini lit a candle
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/Candle10.png
Ann, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your children. In the short time I knew Don, everything you said about him was crystal clear. He was kind and a wonderful friend. I was blessed to know him. Please know you are in my heart.
Kathryn Wolfson posted a condolence
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Ann and family - I was so sad to learn of Don’s passing. I know he was a wonderful friend to my brother and a great husband and father. You are in my and my family’s thoughts and prayers. Kathy Wolfson and family
C
Cass Honecker posted a condolence
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Don was an extremely sweet and sincere man. He will be missed greatly.
S
Suzanne and Bob Fischl posted a condolence
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Ann, Sam and Emily...please know our hearts are with you at this time. Donald, may your kind and beautiful soul Rest In Peace. You absolutely lived life to the fullest, and your grace and spirit lives on in both Sam and Emily. Your devotion to your family was special ... we remember fondly our hockey memories together and the years in Basking Ridge with our kids growing up.
Prayers that you all may find joy in the beautiful memories you have made together.
Love, Suzanne and Bob Fischl
J
Jonathan Wolfson & Family posted a condolence
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
A brilliant and funny man, devoted husband and father. Love, strength and peace to his family, friends and all whose lives were touched for having known him. He'll always be remembered.
M
Mary Jane Canose lit a candle
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/Candle.png
I will miss Don's wonderful sense of humor and his unique outlook on life. He always left me with a smile. My thoughts and prayers are with Ann and all of Don's family. So very sorry.
R
Robyn Sisto posted a condolence
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
I will never forget all the wonderful times and inseparable moments I shaerdd with my cousin
Donald and the whole SISTO 7 growing up at the beach and Florida Holidays . Rest easy my dear cousin .You were one of the kindest souls God put on this earth
D
The family of Donald E Sisto uploaded a photo
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
/tribute-images/1412/Ultra/Donald-Sisto.jpg
Please wait