Donald William Onufer's Obituary
Donald William Onufer, 85 of Gainesville, FL. passed peacefully on the evening of September 16th, 2022 surrounded by his daughter and son-in-law. Don, the middle son and one of four children, was born on August 28th, 1937 in Wilkinsburg, PA to Englebert Onufer and Cecelia Visnansky. Don studied Anatomy and Physiology before completing medical school in Italy at the University of Bologna. After medical school, Dr. Onufer married the love of his life, Maria Sperling Onufer, on August 15th, 1970. Professionally, Dr. Onufer returned to the U.S. to practice medicine completing a Fellowship in neonatology, and assisted in starting numerous Neonatal ICUs in the Eastern and South-Eastern U.S. before opening his own pediatric practice in Vero Beach, FL. Dr. Onufer was a devout Catholic who believed in the Catholic social teachings of life and dignity of the human person, the common good, and the preferential option for the poor. These philosophies crossed into Dr. Onufer's professional life where he was known to provide preventive, acute, and emergent care regardless of citizenship, insurance status, or the patient's ability to pay. Don retired to Gainesville with his wife Maria from Vero Beach in 2005. Don was proceeded in death by his Wife Maria, Sister Cecelia A. (Dolly) Downs of Pittsburgh, PA; and Brother E. Leonard Onufer of Holyoke, MA. He is survived by his Daughter Allison Onufer (Shawn) Hillhouse of Gainesville FL.; Brother Barry R. Onufer of Endicott, NY.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Don was a loving Husband, Father, Brother, Friend, and was a member of Holy Faith Catholic Church.
A funeral mass will be held Friday, October 7, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. at Holy Faith Catholic Church, 747 NW 43rd St, Gainesville, with Fr. Jose Kulathinal as celebrant.
. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to Catholic Charities Gainesville in Dr. Onufer's name.
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