Obituary of Donald N. Joanis

Donald N. Joanis, 89, of Rome, passed away Thursday, August 1, 2019, at Betsy Ross Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was born in Rome, NY, on May 30, 1930, son of the late Ivan A. and Aletha I. Seifert Joanis. Don graduated from St. Aloysius Academy in 1948. On November 14, 1953, he married Barbara D. Leffert in St. Peter's Church, by the Rev. Edward Buttimer. Don was general manager of the former Rosen's Clothing Store, assistant manager of Herb Philipson's Army and Navy Rome store and a former employee of the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc. Don was a member of St. Peter's Church, Fort Stanwix Hose Co. #2, AARP, Ava Dorfman Senior Center, Capital Civic Center, Rome Art and Community Center. He was a former member of Company "C" NY National Guard, where he became a supply Sgt. Don was a charter member of the former Vincent J. Tagliaferri Post serving as a post commander, member of the 27th Division Association of NY, Rome Civil Defense Council as an air raid warden. He also was past president of the former SAA Alumni Association. Surviving besides his wife Barbara, are two sons and a daughter-in-law; David and Michelle Joanis, South New Berlin, Robert M. Joanis, Sr., Rome, two daughters and a son-in-law; Karen Putnam, Hampton, VA, Cheryl and John Shusdock, Boonville, twelve grandchildren; Christopher, Michael, Daniel, Robert, Timothy, Thomas, Joshua, Matthew, Allen, Kara-Leigh, Jennifer, and Samantha, twenty-four great grandchildren. Also surviving are a sister, Marlene Pcolar, West Lyden, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Ivy O'Connor. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, August 9, 2019, at 7 p.m., at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 7751 Merrick Rd. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday, August 9, 2019 from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Don's name may be made to: St. Peter's Church Memorial Fund, c/o St. Peter's Church, P.O. Box 627, Rome, NY 13442 or Rome Rescue Mission, Inc., 411 E. Dominick St., Rome, NY 13440. To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com