Donald R. DaRonco Sr.

Donald R. DaRonco Sr. of Salida, California died peacefully at home on Monday April 23, 2018 after a 10-year battle with Lewy Body Dementia. He was 71.

DaRonco was born in Sandwich, Illinois on Jan. 5, 1947 to John and Eunice (Champlain) DaRonco. At the age of 18, he joined the Navy voluntarily and went to boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Station. Upon completion of boot camp, he received a draft notice. As a Seabee, he served two tours in DeNang, Vietnam. When he completed his military service, he returned to Sandwich, Illinois and worked for Caterpillar Tractors where he used the heavy equipment mechanic experience he learned in the Seabees, working on tractors and construction vehicles.

He soon met his loving wife of 48 years, Dorothy (Dottie) Westphal, marrying March 27, 1970, and had two children. They moved to Livermore, California in 1976 where DaRonco transferred to Caterpillar Tractors in San Leandro.

DaRonco began working at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in 1984 as a technical coordinator in Mechanical Engineering. During his 25 years at LLNL, he became a facility manager and was famous for his Friday doughnuts and barbecues used to raise funds for a live Christmas tree each year that towered through the lobby in Chemistry’s Bldg. 235. He also dressed as Santa for 20 years and would deliver candy canes and small toys to various buildings. He was most remembered throughout the Laboratory as the “nicest guy” and a hard working coordinator who would work beside anyone he was supervising to get a job done.  No job was ever too small, and he took great pride in being extremely resourceful. He received many accolades related to large renovation projects still in use today.

DaRonco will be remembered for his wisdom, caring nature, generosity and endless sense of humor. He was an incredibly involved father and adoring husband. DaRonco was an active Cub Scout master and never missed a soccer game, horse show or any event that his children participated in. He worked evenings and weekends at a self-service car wash for more than 15 years to help provide his family with a comfortable life.

He loved woodworking and spent 30 years remodeling his home in Livermore before moving to Flippin, Arkansas for retirement where he and the love of his life, Dottie (Dorothy) spent more than eight years enjoying their dream home on the White River and Bull Shoals Lake before moving back to California to be near their children and grandchildren. He loved people and was the most cheerful and friendly guy you could meet. Until just before his death, he was still giving a smile and a wink for family and friends.

DaRonco is survived by his wife of 48 years, Dottie, who cared for him in their home until the end; sister, Dorothy Danielson; sister-in-law/daughter in his heart, Darla Abrahamson (Neal); children, Dawn DaRonco and Donald DaRonco Jr. (Joanna Loft); and grandson, Ryan DaRonco, who he enjoyed time with his last two years on earth; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jack.

A celebration of DaRonco's life will be held Thursday, May 17, at Cuda Ridge Winery in Livermore, 2400 Arroyo Road, Livermore, California, 94550, between 2-5 p.m. If you would like to share a written memory with the family, please send an daronco [at] charter.net (email).