Standardbred horseman and racing official Donato ‘Don’ Pasquale Latessa, 92, passed away on February 19, 2019 in Pompano Beach, Florida.
He was surrounded by his cherished family: wife, Victoria (Fatica); son, Nathaniel (Emily); and daughter, Alexandra Latessa-Vorvolakos (Vasilios).
Don was born in 1926 in Collinwood, Ohio, into a family of eight children. All are deceased except for his youngest brother, Gerald (Angela), who lives in Florida. His first wife of 37 years, Laverne Mencini, preceded him in death. He leaves behind his loving wife, Victoria, to whom he was married 32 years.
Don led an incredible life. In his senior year of high school, he enlisted in the Navy and served his country for two years in the Philippines. After discharge, he worked at multiple jobs while he attended Fenn College of Engineering. He went on to purchase the company he worked for, Regal Diamond Grinding Wheel.
In 1956, he patented a Flexible Abrasive Grinding Wheel. He further expanded his business and developed Finishers Supply Company. At 46 years old, he sold his companies and went into horse racing.
He served on the Board of Directors at the Painesville Fairgrounds for many years. He was the owner, trainer, and driver of many Standardbreds horses before becoming a judge at multiple racetracks including the Meadowlands, Rosecroft, Delmarva Downs and Garden State Park. In 1989, he presided over the only two-horse dead heat in the history of the Hambletonian. He was highly respected and admired by all who knew him through business, racing, family, friends and life.
Don embraced life. He was an avid sportsman and enjoyed bowling, hunting, fishing and golfing. As a horseman, he cared for and drove his own Standardbreds. He was a pilot and loved to fly his airplanes. He also loved to sing, dance, read, cook and learn anything new. Most of all, he loved and cherished his wife, children and grandchildren.
A farewell will be held at Vitantonio-Previte Funeral Home, 5236 Mayfield Road, Lyndhurst, OH 44124 on Thursday (March 28) from 3-8 p.m. Mass will be held Friday (March 29) at Holy Redeemer Church, 15712 Kipling Ave, Cleveland, Ohio, at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St Jude’s Hospital for Children.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Don Pasquale.
(USTA)
My condolences to the Latessa
My condolences to the Latessa family. RIP Don