METUCHEN — It was standing room only as the Borough Council honored Auxiliary Police Lt. Angelo Donato Jr. for his years of service to Metuchen during the Oct. 6 council meeting.
Donato suffered a stroke on Sept. 22, 2006, and had been in a coma. The police department held a benefit lunch in his honor.
Donato wore his auxiliary police officer’s uniform and sat in a wheelchair. His wife, Glenora Donato, alternated between wiping her husband’s face and wiping her eyes as she listened to Councilman Christopher Morrison read a resolution “to affirm and memorialize our enduring gratitude and affection for a oneof a-kind one of our own, Angelo Donato Jr.”
It was fitting that the resolution was read at the council meeting directly following the Oct. 4 Metuchen Country Fair. The fair was an event that Donato worked on as an auxiliary police officer. He would start the day at 5:30 a.m. and wouldn’t leave until the fair was over, according to friends and family.
Donato is a lifelong borough resident. He attended the Metuchen public schools and graduated from Metuchen High School in 1971. He and his wife have five children, Angelo III, Patrick, Amanda, Casey and Matthew.
Angelo III and Patrick are also part of the auxiliary police.
Police Chief James T. Keane walked over to hold Donato’s arm and noted how Donato “was always there for the police department.”
“He’s a dedicated and loyal volunteer,” Keane said. “We certainly miss Angelo around, especially on the weekends — he’d take care of the cars, fix flats.”
Morrison explained that the resolution began as an idea he had during a meeting with the auxiliary police, when he’d asked for some biographical information about the officers who had served the community for more than 10 years. He said he had been intending to introduce a resolution honoring them.
Morrison told the council, “Captain Dana paused and said, ‘That is all fine and good, Chris. Thank you for thinking of it. But nothing for us, thanks. No resolutions for us — not before Angelo. Angelo first.’ As I looked around that room, there was no doubt in any eyes. The department stood as one. No recognition for them, no public thanks for them. Not before Angelo Donato.”
The depth of feeling was evident in council chambers Monday night, as more than 30 officers from the borough’s police department and auxiliary police attended to express their admiration to Donato and his family.
His children, sister and three grandchildren also were there.
“It’s a nice feeling for my father to know, it’s a boost to him, letting him know how much they appreciate him,” said daughter Amanda Kazalonis just after the resolution was read. “This is very overwhelming. He’s touched everyone, and these guys,” she said as she looked around the room, “are like family to us.”
Contact Enid Weiss at [email protected].