Commander Morris John Damato, MSC, USN, (Ret.), 91, of Stafford, VA passed away on Sunday, December 24, 2017.
Morris was born Mauro Giovanni on June 3, 1926 in Shenandoah, PA to immigrant parents from Southern Italy who taught him the importance of family, faith and a strong work ethic. He was commissioned an officer in the Medical Service Corps with the United States Navy following graduation from the Pennsylvania State University and graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania. As the Director of Physiology, his team was instrumental in modifying and enhancing the “g-suit” worn by military pilots and astronauts to minimize the effects of g-forces when pulling high G’s. Military tours of duty included Philadelphia, PA, Corpus Christi, TX, El Centro, CA, Pensacola, FL and NAVAIR, Washington, DC.
More important than his naval career was his love of family and the examples set for perseverance, diligence, and integrity while maintaining a sense of humor. Morris was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Helene Gillespie Damato–-his “Helena Maria”--who after raising six children, they traveled throughout Europe, annual trips to Sanibel Island, regular visits to their home near the Delaware shore, and visiting friends and family. He was also a 4th degree Knights of Columbus, past Grand Knight, and volunteered frequently with parish and diocesan organizations.
Survivors include his six children, Neil John Damato (Mary Ann), Maureen Damato Massie (Michael), James Joseph Damato (Patricia), John Anthony Damato (Rexann), Ellen Damato Papp (Huba), and Mark Thomas Damato (Kristin); his 14 grandchildren, Jaclyn, Katherine (Brian), Nicholas, Lauren, Jessica (Zach), Patrick, Logan, Hope, Grace, Olivia, Brendan, Siena, Collin, and Sophia; great-grandchild Gabriela; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A rosary service will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2 at Covenant Funeral Service 1310 Courthouse Rd., Stafford, VA. The family will receive friends following the rosary service until 8 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 3 at Quantico Marine Base Chapel. Burial will follow at noon at Quantico National Cemetery with a luncheon to follow.
Morris was born Mauro Giovanni on June 3, 1926 in Shenandoah, PA to immigrant parents from Southern Italy who taught him the importance of family, faith and a strong work ethic. He was commissioned an officer in the Medical Service Corps with the United States Navy following graduation from the Pennsylvania State University and graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania. As the Director of Physiology, his team was instrumental in modifying and enhancing the “g-suit” worn by military pilots and astronauts to minimize the effects of g-forces when pulling high G’s. Military tours of duty included Philadelphia, PA, Corpus Christi, TX, El Centro, CA, Pensacola, FL and NAVAIR, Washington, DC.
More important than his naval career was his love of family and the examples set for perseverance, diligence, and integrity while maintaining a sense of humor. Morris was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Helene Gillespie Damato–-his “Helena Maria”--who after raising six children, they traveled throughout Europe, annual trips to Sanibel Island, regular visits to their home near the Delaware shore, and visiting friends and family. He was also a 4th degree Knights of Columbus, past Grand Knight, and volunteered frequently with parish and diocesan organizations.
Survivors include his six children, Neil John Damato (Mary Ann), Maureen Damato Massie (Michael), James Joseph Damato (Patricia), John Anthony Damato (Rexann), Ellen Damato Papp (Huba), and Mark Thomas Damato (Kristin); his 14 grandchildren, Jaclyn, Katherine (Brian), Nicholas, Lauren, Jessica (Zach), Patrick, Logan, Hope, Grace, Olivia, Brendan, Siena, Collin, and Sophia; great-grandchild Gabriela; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A rosary service will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2 at Covenant Funeral Service 1310 Courthouse Rd., Stafford, VA. The family will receive friends following the rosary service until 8 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 3 at Quantico Marine Base Chapel. Burial will follow at noon at Quantico National Cemetery with a luncheon to follow.
Commander Morris John Damato, MSC, USN, (Ret.), 91, of Stafford, VA passed away on Sunday, December 24, 2017.
Morris was born Mauro Giovanni on June 3, 1926 in Shenandoah, PA to immigrant parents from Southern Italy who taught him the importance of family, faith and a strong work ethic. He was commissioned an officer in the Medical Service Corps with the United States Navy following graduation from the Pennsylvania State University and graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania. As the Director of Physiology, his team was instrumental in modifying and enhancing the “g-suit” worn by military pilots and astronauts to minimize the effects of g-forces when pulling high G’s. Military tours of duty included Philadelphia, PA, Corpus Christi, TX, El Centro, CA, Pensacola, FL and NAVAIR, Washington, DC.
More important than his naval career was his love of family and the examples set for perseverance, diligence, and integrity while maintaining a sense of humor. Morris was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Helene Gillespie Damato–-his “Helena Maria”--who after raising six children, they traveled throughout Europe, annual trips to Sanibel Island, regular visits to their home near the Delaware shore, and visiting friends and family. He was also a 4th degree Knights of Columbus, past Grand Knight, and volunteered frequently with parish and diocesan organizations.
Survivors include his six children, Neil John Damato (Mary Ann), Maureen Damato Massie (Michael), James Joseph Damato (Patricia), John Anthony Damato (Rexann), Ellen Damato Papp (Huba), and Mark Thomas Damato (Kristin); his 14 grandchildren, Jaclyn, Katherine (Brian), Nicholas, Lauren, Jessica (Zach), Patrick, Logan, Hope, Grace, Olivia, Brendan, Siena, Collin, and Sophia; great-grandchild Gabriela; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A rosary service will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2 at Covenant Funeral Service 1310 Courthouse Rd., Stafford, VA. The family will receive friends following the rosary service until 8 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 3 at Quantico Marine Base Chapel. Burial will follow at noon at Quantico National Cemetery with a luncheon to follow.
Morris was born Mauro Giovanni on June 3, 1926 in Shenandoah, PA to immigrant parents from Southern Italy who taught him the importance of family, faith and a strong work ethic. He was commissioned an officer in the Medical Service Corps with the United States Navy following graduation from the Pennsylvania State University and graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania. As the Director of Physiology, his team was instrumental in modifying and enhancing the “g-suit” worn by military pilots and astronauts to minimize the effects of g-forces when pulling high G’s. Military tours of duty included Philadelphia, PA, Corpus Christi, TX, El Centro, CA, Pensacola, FL and NAVAIR, Washington, DC.
More important than his naval career was his love of family and the examples set for perseverance, diligence, and integrity while maintaining a sense of humor. Morris was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Helene Gillespie Damato–-his “Helena Maria”--who after raising six children, they traveled throughout Europe, annual trips to Sanibel Island, regular visits to their home near the Delaware shore, and visiting friends and family. He was also a 4th degree Knights of Columbus, past Grand Knight, and volunteered frequently with parish and diocesan organizations.
Survivors include his six children, Neil John Damato (Mary Ann), Maureen Damato Massie (Michael), James Joseph Damato (Patricia), John Anthony Damato (Rexann), Ellen Damato Papp (Huba), and Mark Thomas Damato (Kristin); his 14 grandchildren, Jaclyn, Katherine (Brian), Nicholas, Lauren, Jessica (Zach), Patrick, Logan, Hope, Grace, Olivia, Brendan, Siena, Collin, and Sophia; great-grandchild Gabriela; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A rosary service will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2 at Covenant Funeral Service 1310 Courthouse Rd., Stafford, VA. The family will receive friends following the rosary service until 8 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 3 at Quantico Marine Base Chapel. Burial will follow at noon at Quantico National Cemetery with a luncheon to follow.
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