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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Family and friends are mourning the loss of Donald |
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Anthony Garritano of Cedar Park, who passed away on February 16, |
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2019, at the age of 67; and |
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WHEREAS, The son of Anthony and Ann Garritano, Don Garritano |
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was born in Philadelphia on January 26, 1952; he grew up in his |
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hometown and in Radnor, Pennsylvania, with the companionship of |
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three siblings, Michael, Marybeth, and Carolyn; while a student at |
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Villanova University, he met his future wife, Maria Talamo, and |
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they married at their alma mater on February 21, 1981; they were |
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blessed with a daughter, Gina, and two sons, Victor and Giancarlo; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Garritano attended the Culinary Institute of |
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America and was employed in Philadelphia for many years as a chef |
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and kitchen manager; in 1994, his wife's nursing career took the |
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family to Palestine, Texas, and they later resided in Duncanville |
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and Victoria before settling in Cedar Park; Mr. Garritano then left |
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the culinary arts to work in building component sales, roofing, |
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construction, and solar sales and installation, and he provided |
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steadfast support and encouragement for his wife in her |
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professional advancement; and |
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WHEREAS, For two decades, Mr. Garritano was a very active |
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member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church, and he participated in |
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Christ Renews His Parish and volunteered as kitchen manager for |
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Life Teen Retreats; when his youngest son was in Boy Scouts, he |
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became a member of the Troop Committee and served for 17 years as a |
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camping coordinator; he also volunteered for Habitat for Humanity |
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and Mobile Loaves and Fishes, and he donated five percent of his |
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business profits to local charities; a member of the Forest Oaks |
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Homeowners Association, he served as chair of the Pool Committee |
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and as a member of the Architectural Control Committee; in 2015, his |
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daughter gave him a rescue dog, and after learning pet therapy at |
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Austin Dog Alliance, he and his loyal German shepherd, Arty, |
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brought joy and solace to veterans, the elderly, and children |
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through the Leander ISD's Bow Wow Reading Dogs program; and |
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WHEREAS, Don Garritano lived a rich and purposeful life |
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centered on his family, his faith, and his community, and he will |
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forever hold a special place in the hearts of those he left behind; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Donald Anthony |
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Garritano and extend sincere sympathy to his loved ones; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Don |
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Garritano. |