Donato Tintori, 82, of Rosendale

ROSENDALE >> Donato Tintori was born Jan. 2, 1934 and died on Oct. 5, 2016.

Born in Bagni di Lucca, Tuscany, Italy, Donato lived through the allied invasion to free the town in World War II. He served in the Italian military in the 1950’s, stationed in the Alps as part of the mountain division, the “Alpinos”. He came to the U.S. in 1962 and opened American Statuary in the Bronx, making plaster castings for florists and furniture stores. He moved to Eastchester and his shop became LT Statuary, adding in fiberglass and concrete items. In February 1993, he moved the shop to Tillson, N.Y., and changed the name to Donato Designs. He eventually opened the shop in Accord, N.Y. For 40 years he made statues until April 2011, he suffered a stroke which stopped his handiwork. The shop continued on run by his son Marco who changed the name in 2013 to Tintori Castings. He is survived by his sons, Marco of High Falls, and Danny of Hastings on Hudson; two daughtersin-law, one granddaughter, and another on the way. He is also survived by family in Italy: sister, Gemma; brother, Enzo; nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was “the favorite Tio” and was loved by all.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday Oct. 16, 2016, at Mid-Hudson Christian Church, 2393 Rte 300 Wallkill, N.Y., 12589. Donato was an avid fisherman, so in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Donato’s name to the Ashokan Center, a local educational waterways conservation group at 477 Beaverkill Rd. Olivebridge, N.Y., 12461. www. ashokancenter.org