Senate Resolution No. 4205

BY: Senator KENNEDY

MOURNING the death of Norman DiDonato, Army
veteran, astute businessman, and devoted member of
his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Norman DiDonato of Buffalo, New York, passed away on
Monday, March 5, 2018, at the age of 84; and

WHEREAS, Born on March 23, 1934, to Italian immigrants in
Greenville, Pennsylvania, Norman DiDonato earned his civil engineering
degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1956; and

WHEREAS, Upon graduating, Norman DiDonato proudly served his country
as a member of the United States Army; he was assigned to the Armed
Forces Special Weapons Project where he worked with a group of engineers
in the Pentagon to design bridge structures to withstand atomic bomb
blasts; and

WHEREAS, After his discharge, Norman DiDonato was employed with
Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation, a leading developer of suburban plazas
and shopping malls in Youngstown, Ohio; and

WHEREAS, Norman DiDonato then went to work for a commercial
development company in Buffalo; the following year he joined his
friends, Al Weber and James Renaldo, to form the engineering and
architecture firm Weber, DiDonato, & Renaldo; and

WHEREAS, Weber, DiDonato, & Renaldo focused on highway, bridge, and
architectural work, with Norman DiDonato specializing in the
infrastructure aspects; two of their most important projects included
the Erie Basin Marina and the Buffalo Convention Center; and

WHEREAS, Norman DiDonato became the sole owner of the company in
1989, renaming it DiDonato Associates; the company worked on various
projects such as Try-It Distributing headquarters in Lancaster,
improvements at Buffalo Niagara International Airport and the design for
returning auto traffic to Main Street in downtown Buffalo; and

WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of Norman DiDonato, DiDonato
Associates was the recipient of numerous accolades including awards from
the American Institute of Architects and the American Public Works
Association; the firm was also named a Best Place to Work by Buffalo
Business First in 2006, and a Top Place to Work by The Buffalo News in
2015; and

WHEREAS, Dedicated to his profession, Norman DiDonato was a vital
member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the National
Society of Professional Engineers; and

WHEREAS, When he was not working, Norman DiDonato enjoyed spending
time with his beloved family; he also liked to socialize with his
neighbors at the Lancaster Country Club; and

WHEREAS, Norman DiDonato is survived by his wife of 60 years, the
former Janet M. Eisler; two daughters, Toni DiDonato and Jody
Bustamante; one son, John DiDonato; one brother, Robert DiDonato; eight
grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, as well as many friends and
colleagues; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Norman DiDonato leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Norman DiDonato, Army veteran, astute businessman,
and devoted member of his community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Norman DiDonato.