Tom, or TD as he is affectionately known, was born in Lykens, PA during the Great Depression in September 1930. Tom spent his early life exploring the mountains around his central Pennsylvania home. He later moved to Philadelphia, PA, where his father found employment. In March 1943, Tom joined the Boy Scouts, Philadelphia Council, Troop 243. He achieved Life rank.
Tom graduated from Germantown High School in 1948. To earn money for college Tom worked at Barnett Canvas Goods & Bag Company putting grommets in canvas. He also worked as an electrician’s helper for the Delaware River Bridge Commission, working on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. He graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in 1952 and Jefferson Medical College in 1956. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1956 to 1967. He completed his medical internship and residency at the Naval Hospital of Philadelphia. After a Fellowship in Cardiac Anesthesia at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Tom was given orders to St. Albans Naval Hospital as Chief of the Anesthesia Department, and director of the anesthesia residency training program. During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, he was deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In 1967, Tom entered civilian life as an anesthesiologist at Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown, PA. He later joined the staff at St. Luke’s Hospital, Bethlehem, PA. While at St. Luke’s Tom served as Chief of the Anesthesia Department from 1974 to 1978. In 1981, he joined the Navy Reserves. He served in various capacities, including Commanding Officer of Fleet Hospital #20. In January 1991, he was recalled to active duty during Desert Storm and was stationed at Bethesda Naval Hospital. Tom retired from the Navy as a Captain in September 1992. He was an active member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the Pennsylvania Medical Society and the Pennsylvania Society of Anesthesiologists (PSA). He served as President of the PSA for two terms from 1976 to 1978.
In the early 1970s, Tom was a member of the Allentown West End Rotary Club. He has been a member of the Allentown Chapter of the Honorary First Defenders since 1983. He served as its Commander from 2002 through 2003, and on the Executive Council for many years. Tom was a member of the Palmer Township Kiwanis Club from 1994 through 2015. He served as its President in 1999-2000. During his term as President, he started a K-kids club at the Palmer Elementary School and a Key Club at Wilson High School. As a Kiwanis volunteer, Tom helped deliver Meals-on-Wheels.
He is predeceased by his parents, George and Lottie Doneker, his sister, Irene Doneker, and sister Miriam Harrison. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Beverly (Detweiler) Doneker. He is also survived by son, Dr. Thomas Doneker, Jr and his wife, Joell of Houston, TX, daughter Kimberly Lisi and her husband Vincent of Brooklyn, NY, and son Robert Doneker and his wife, Dr. Laura Torgerson of Portland, OR, and step-daughter, Sarah Lochiatto and her husband Michael of Shippensburg, PA, with whom he and his wife resided. Tom was blessed with seven grandchildren: Juliana Lisi, Kai and Eric Doneker, John Doneker, Anthony, Dominic, and Tonya Lochiatto. He is also survived by three nieces and three nephews.
A viewing will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 AM Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at the Dugan Funeral Home, 51 Asper Drive, Shippensburg followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM in St. Ignatius Loyola Church. A funeral service in Easton will be held 10:30 AM Saturday, December 2, 2017 at the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with a calling period from 9:30 to 10:30 AM. Interment with military honors will be private in Calvary United Methodist Cemetery, Wiconisco, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kiwanis Foundation of Palmer Township, P.O. Box 3165, Palmer, PA 18043-3165 or to St. Ignatius Loyola Church, 1095 Church Rd. Orrtanna, PA.
Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.
