Obituary of Donald J. Farinacci
Donald (“Don”) J. Farinacci of East Northport, New York died on Monday, September 30, 2024, at age 82. Donald is survived by Noreen, his beloved wife of 57 years, his son James and his wife Danielle, his son John and his wife Jessica, his daughter Laurie and her husband Harry, and seven grandchildren: Sarah, Katey, Amanda, Andrew, Brian, Layla and Keira.
Don was born on October 22, 1941. He graduated from St. John’s University in 1963 and Fordham University School of Law in 1966.
Immediately following law school, Don served the United States as a member of the Military Corps of Intelligence branch of the United States Army. He was a M14 marksman and received the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
While serving, Don was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1969. He practiced law in Nassau County for more than fifty years before his retirement in 2022. During that time, Don specialized in the area of trusts and estates and was an active member of the Nassau County Bar Association and the American College of Trusts and Estates Counsel.
Throughout his life, Don maintained a deep interest in veterans’ affairs and, for decades, was a volunteer with the National Veterans Administration hospitals program. Don received the Four Chaplains Legion of Honor Award, which recognizes individuals performing selfless acts of service in their community, based on his volunteerism at the Veterans Hospital in Northport and his commitment to enabling disabled veterans to attend religious services.
Don was also an award-winning author and member of the Military Writers Society of America (MWSA). Most recently, his book, “Washington’s War: Triumph, Trials and Treason”, received the MWSA Bronze Star in the non-fiction category in 2023. In 2011, his book, “Truman and McArthur: Adversaries for a Common Cause” received the Gold Star for the Korean War category from the MWSA and Graceland University, and the Silver Star for the history category from MWSA. At the time of his passing, Donald was on the precipice of publishing his latest work, “Sentries of Democracy: Safeguarding the Constitutional Balance of Power and the Rule of Law”. His family intends to release this book posthumously.
In addition to his academic, intellectual, professional and charitable pursuits, Don’s proudest achievement was the success and happiness of his family. He was a caring, present and supportive husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather—a tremendous role model who will be missed and remembered forever.
