Paul J. D'Onfro

LEOMINSTER - Paul James D’Onfro, 62, of Leominster, passed peacefully after a year-long illness, in his home Wednesday, July 11, 2018, surrounded by his family. He faced his disease with the same integrity, positive attitude, grace, and love with which he lived his life.

Born in Washington, D.C. on September 22, 1955, he is the son of Nicholas and Janice (Iles) D’Onfro of Leominster, MA. He graduated from Leominster High School in 1973, University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1977, and Albany Law School in 1981. Paul was a partner at the law firm of Mirick O’Connell in Worcester, MA, where he was a successful and well-respected attorney. He further utilized his talents within his community as a longtime member of HealthAlliance Board of Trustees, serving as Board Chair from 2011-2016.

Paul lived most of his life in Leominster. He married his high school sweetheart, Joanne C. (Crowley) D’Onfro, with whom he shared forty wonderful years. He truly enjoyed the outdoors, ice fishing, New England snowstorms, music, and the Patriots. He shared countless adventures with his wife, Joey: skiing the Alps, vacationing in the Caribbean, and driving cross country. Mostly, he cherished the simple joys of life with family and friends: holiday traditions, relaxing by the pool, walking Fortunes Rocks Beach, hiking the White Mountains, and sitting by a fire. He had the innate ability to light up a room with his booming voice, his enthusiasm, his humor, his infectious laugh, and his gentle bear hugs. He gave his love generously and had the unique gift of making everyone around him feel special and respected. His love, kindness, and compassion will be profoundly missed, especially by the family and friends he held so dearly.

In addition to his parents and loving wife, he is survived by his three children, Erin Korgie and her husband, Matthew, of Swampscott, MA; Nicholas “Cole” D’Onfro and his wife, Rebekah, of Danville, CA; and Lauren D’Onfro of Boston, MA. He is also survived by his sister, Kathy (D’Onfro) Hamel and her husband, Thomas, of Pittsfield, MA and his sister-in-law, Beth D’Onfro, of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, the wife of his beloved predeceased brother, Stephen M. D’Onfro. He is the proud grandfather of Maeve, Serena and Isla Korgie and Chandler and Mackenzie D’Onfro. Paul also leaves behind many in-laws, nieces and nephews, and numerous relatives and friends, especially his lifelong friend, Brian “Duke” Young.

D’ONFRO- Calling hours will be held at the Silas F. Richardson & Son Funeral Home, 106 West Street, Leominster, on Thursday July 19th from 4-7pm. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, July 20th at 12 pm at Apple Hill Farm and Country Club, 143 Joslin Street, Leominster.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation, 321 Columbus Avenue, Suite 5R Boston, MA 02116 or to any charity you hold dear to your heart.

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