Donald LaSpaluto

Middleburgh- Donald P. LaSpaluto, 97, of Pine Street, died Thursday, August 2, 2012 at his daughter's residence.

Born May 22, 1915 in Brooklyn, he was the son of Francesco and Desiderata (Ingargiola) LaSpaluto.

After forty years of working at United Features Syndicate in Manhattan where he was sales manager, he retired in 1980. He and his wife resided in Queens Village while raising their family and then relocated to Middleburgh upon his retirement.

Don was one of seven founding members of the Train Collectors Assoc. and at one time was president. He was also the founder of the Matchbox Collectors Club. Donald was also an avid collector of toy soldiers and wrote numerous articles for the Times Journal's "Collector's Corner".

He was a communicant of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Middleburgh.

Don was predeceased by his wife of over fifty years, Claire (Noe) LaSpaluto, and two sons, Robert and Donald.

A beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, his survivors include his children: Claire (John) Burling of Middleburgh, Frank (Cassie) LaSpaluto of Durham. NC, David (Eileen) LaSpaluto of Middleburgh; five grandchildren: Jessica (Caleb) Jacobus of Middleburgh, Laura LaSpaluto of Brooklyn, Donna (Gerald) Jenkins of Middleburgh, Damien Burling of Warnerville, Daniel LaSpaluto of Albany; four great-grandchildren: Donovan Burling, Angelina Jacobus, Jane Jenkins, and Mae Jenkins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 3:00 PM on Friday, August 3, 2012 at Our Lady of the Valley Church, Main St., Middleburgh with Father Thomas Holmes as celebrant. Burial will follow in Middleburgh Cemetery. There will be no calling hours.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105

Arrangements have been entrusted to Palmer & Shaylor Funeral Home, 134 River St., Middleburgh and Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm St., Cobleskill.