February 21, 2008

Remembering Dr. Donato

The Diocese of Memphis lost a pioneer in multicultural ministry February 11 with the death of Dr. Federico Donato.

Countless Filipinos who have relocated to the Memphis area over several decades have one thing in common. Upon their arrival, they received a phone call from Dr. Federico V. Donato who said, "Hello, si Doctor Donato ito. Ikaw ba si… (Translation: Hello, this is Dr. Donato. Are You…?)

During his 38 years in Memphis, Dr. Donato became the face of the Filipino community in the Mid-South. He was the new best friend who offered help with housing, employment and a link to the local Filipino community to many newcomers seeking to establish their lives in the Memphis area. He helped not only his countrymen, but also many American spouses of Filipino migrants.

Ask any Filipino in Memphis about Dr. Donato and you're likely to hear stories of the open friendship and personal support he unselfishly offered to them.

Born July 10, 1925 in Caloocan City in the Philippines, Dr. Donato graduated from the University of Santo Tomas in 1954. He was voted Outstanding Physician of the Year by the Caloocan City Medical Society in 1964.

He and his wife Leonor Santos migrated to Memphis in 1969, where he was a practicing physician at the Memphis Health Department. Following, he practiced at Western State Hospital in Bolivar, TN, and later retired from the Memphis Mental Health Institute in the mid-1980s.

As president of the Filipino American Association of Memphis (FILAMemphis) in 1985, he made it his mission to make everyone he encountered feel welcome. On the first Sunday of each month when the Filipino Catholic Community gathered to celebrate Mass, he greeted newcomers warmly and often guided them to open seats in the church. No one was a stranger, and he made it a point to greet new acquaintances by name.

He also worked with the Cultural Ministry of the Filipino Community of Memphis Diocese and was a recipient of the Mid-South Peace and Justice Award.

Dr. Donato loved Memphis and the Fil-Am community. Although his family encouraged him and his wife to move to Florida, he chose to stay in Memphis and continue his community service.

After a long, admirable life filled with accomplishments and personal service, Dr. Donato lost his life in an auto accident on Monday, Feb. 11, 2008.

When he was given the "Father of Filipino American Association of Metropolitan Memphis" award, the inscription read, "You are our light, guidance, and inspiration." This is how his family members and countless friends will always remember him.

He is survived by his wife Leonor, a daughter Marife and her husband Brian Cromwell of Niceville, FL; a son Philip and his wife Christine of Munford, TN; four grandchildren, Lindsey, Brandon, Jesse and Reannah, as well as several nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated February 16 for Donato, 82, at the Church of the Nativity. Burial was in Memory Hill Cemetery.