Donald F. Zemaitis, age 72, entered eternal rest on June 9, 2023. He was the beloved husband of over fifty years to his high school sweet-heart, Carol Santore Zemaitis.
Don was born in Derby on June 19, 1950, son of the late Joseph T. and Elizabeth Levinsky Zemaitis. A lifelong resident of Ansonia, he attended Assumption Grammar School and graduated from Ansonia High School. At AHS, he was a proud four-year member of the football team where he excelled on the gridiron as a defensive end. He went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of New Haven and his Master’s Degree from Sacred Heart University. Don was employed as a finance manager for the former Southern Connecticut Gas Company in Bridgeport for many years until his retirement.
He previously served as financial director for the City of Ansonia under former Mayor Michael “Red” Adanti.
Don loved to travel visiting places such as Italy, Spain, France, California, and Florida. His favorite spot was by the ocean or on the beach. Don was an avid fan of the New York Yankees, the New York Giants and UCONN basketball where he was a season ticket holder for the games. He enjoyed golfing and listening to The Beach Boys. Overall, his unwavering faith in God sustained him through both the good and bad times in life.
In addition to his wife Carol, he is the proud and loving father of Peter J. Zemaitis (Michelle Hughes) of Salt Lake City, UT, and Amy Z. Guarino (Joseph) of East Haven. He is also survived by a brother, Joseph T. Zemaitis (Jean) of Prospect and several nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family and pay their respects on Thursday, June 15, 2023, from 9:00 to 10:30 am in the chapel of the SPINELLI-RICCIUTI FUNERAL HOME, 62 Beaver Street in Ansonia. His funeral will proceed to Holy Rosary Church in Ansonia for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. Interment will follow in Mount Saint Peter Cemetery in Derby. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Don’s memory may be made directly to: the American Heart Association at www.heart.org or to the ASPCA at www.aspca.org. To sign Don’s guestbook or share a memory, please visit www.spinelliricciutifh.com.
