Tom was born in Youngstown, Ohio on October 5, 1948 to Michael and Elizabeth D’Onofrio. He was one of three children in his family; an older sister, Lucille and his fraternal twin brother, Michael. He attended Youngstown State University and earned his degree in Education in 1970. He furthered his education at The Ohio State University with a degree in Pharmacy in 1975, then became a D.O., graduating from the osteopathic medical school at Ohio University in 1988. During this time, Tom married his high school sweetheart, Yvonne, in January of 1971. They began their family together welcoming two children into the world, their son, Matthew, and daughter, Dannyle.
Tom’s passion for taking care of people was his driving force to open up his own family practice in 1992 in Whitehall, Ohio. He was a practicing physician until the last few months of his life, with the last 10 years being devoted to drug addiction medicine and supporting patients on their journey to sobriety. Tom repeatedly said that addiction medicine was some of the most meaningful work he ever did.
Tom was a passionate fan of all Cleveland sports and loved to travel to northeast Ohio to attend baseball and football games. He was an avid Ohio State Buckeyes fan and made sure to pass down that affinity to his children. He also enjoyed coin collecting and playing poker. He was a member of several local Columbus poker clubs and would meet regularly with friends to play cards. His friends often lovingly referred to him as “Doc” and would welcome him into a hand any time he entered a tournament.
He would have celebrated 52 beautiful years of marriage to his wife, Yvonne, whom he always referred to as his very best friend. He will always be regarded as a gentle, loyal and sensitive person, who was always willing to tell a joke and make someone smile. Tom will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved him.
Tom is survived by his loving wife, Yvonne D’Onofrio; children Matthew (Jessica) D’Onofrio and Dannyle (Matthew) Cossin, twin brother Michael (Carole) D’Onofrio and sister Lucille (Jack) Marino and many adored brother and sister in laws, nieces, nephews and four grandchildren, Ellie and Emmaline D’Onofrio and Lily and Cameron Cossin. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Elizabeth and Michael D’Onofrio and we have no doubt they are enjoying a plate of white spaghetti together again in their heavenly home.
The family will receive friends for calling hours from 4:00-7:00 PM on Monday, January 2, 2023, at Schoedinger Margarum Northeast Funeral Home at 1051 East Johnstown Rd., Gahanna, OH 43220. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM Tuesday January 3, 2023 at St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic Church at 807 Havens Corners Rd. Columbus, OH 43230.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to two groups that were close to Tom’s heart. The Wounded Warrior Project (https://tinyurl.com/3mymzb57) and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (https://t2t.org/donate/). We encourage those who knew him to post memories of Tom and condolences on the Schoedinger site.
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