Donald Eugene Sobina, 77, of Warren, PA., died peacefully, Friday morning, April 24, 2020 at Warren General Hospital, Warren, PA., after an extended illness. He was born February 25, 1943 in Oil City, PA. He was the son of Joseph F. and Phyllis Formanik Sobina.
Don was raised and educated in Oil City, PA. and graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1961. In 1963, he entered the U.S. Army as a military accountant, having achieved the rank of SP5. With a brief service in Thailand with the Joint Military Advisory Group (JUSMAG), he was honorably discharged in October 1966. In 1969, he graduated from St. Francis College in Loretto, PA. with a Bachelors’ Degree of Science in Accounting.
After graduation, he worked for Fisher Price Toys in East Aurora, N.Y. In 1977, he moved his family to Warren, PA. to assume a position at United Refining Company. Having held various positions with United, he retired in 2006 as Vice President of Corporate Development.
While in Warren, Donald served as a director of the Warren County School District from 1983 to 1989. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of Warren General Hospital and its affiliates from 1996 thru 2005. He was also active as a Little League Baseball Manager for 9 years.
Donald was a member of St. Joseph R.C. Church where he was a Eucharistic Minister and served on various committees most recently on the Buildings and Grounds. He was also a 3rd degree member of the Warren Knights of Columbus.
Donald is survived by his wife of 49 years, Nancy DeSalvo Sobina whom he married on June 6, 1970 in Carrolltown, PA., 2 Sons – David Sobina and his wife, Michelle, Daniel Sobina and his wife, Linda, 2 Grandsons Maxwell and Jaxon, 1 Step Grandson – Alexander Johnson and 1 Great Granddaughter, Cambria Johnson all of Warren, PA., 1 Brother – Deacon Raymond Sobina and his wife, Debbie, 1 Nephew – Nicholas Sobina all of Erie, PA., 1 Niece – Rachel of Oil City, PA.
He was preceded in death by his parents,
Due to state mandates with the Coronavirus, a Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at the convenience of the family at St. Joseph R.C. Church, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue West, Warren, PA., with Msgr. Robert Smith, Retired Catholic Priest as Main celebrant, Fr. Richard Tomasone, Pastor, as Con-celebrant. They will be assisted by Don’s brother, Deacon Raymond Sobina. Interment will be in St. Joseph R.C. Cemetery. Those wishing to place memorials may do so through the Warren Cancer Center, 2 Crescent Park, Warren, PA, 16365, or the Warren Public Library Association, 205 Market Street, Warren, PA, 16365. E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com
Dear Nancy and family,
Our deepest sympathy. You are all are in our prayers. God Bless you. Rest In Peace Don.
Nancy.
My brother Joe sent this over. The years have passed I remember when you all were married. Sounds like you had a good life together and that you are blessed with a great family. I hope that you can find strength in you heritage and be comforted that Don is at peace. I have always believed that our fathers still spend the afternoon together sharing stores
Dear Nancy and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Don’s passing and praying that God will comfort you and draw especially near to you all at this difficult time.
The Bible says that we are not to mourn as those who have no hope, and though we do mourn, it is with the great hope and expectation that we will all be together again in Heaven.
I loved how Don always signed off his emails to me with, “Your forever friend and neighbor, Don.” That rings more true now than ever.
We love you,
Your forever friends and neighbors,
Bob and Shelly Holland
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.“
Dear Deacon Raymond and family
Please accept my condolences in the passing of your brother Donald.
Sharon Price
Lucinda, Pa
Dear Nancy, so sorry for your great loss. Remembering you in prayer. Wilma Portzer
Ray and Family–Our sincere condolences to all of the family. We mourn with you over Don’s passing but are encouraged that it is from death unto life.
Sam and Patty Heaster
Dear Nancy and family, I couldn’t believe what I was reading this morning. Don was like a brother to me growing up together. My sincere condolences to you and your family. Your in my thoughts and prayers.Barbara Kreunen
Dear Nancy and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. We always enjoyed seeing Don at the family parties, and hearing him talk (boast) about his family, especially his grandchildren. I know he will carry this on in heaven! Our prayers are with you.
We’re so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. Our sincere condolences to you and your family.
Our sympathy and prayers of comfort are for you and your family.
With love.
Don,
May you rest in peace and to your family I offer my sincere condolences.
Don was a great high school friend from many years ago.
Tony Lange
Dear Nancy and Family,
It was with a heavy heart that I learned of Don’s passing Friday morning. After speaking with you on Thursday afternoon I was hoping and praying for a speedy recovery. Our sincere condolences to you and your family. You guys will be in our thoughts and prayers. May Don rest in peace. God Bless!
I am so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with Don’s family and friends. God Bless.
I am saddened to hear of Don’s passing. He was a good person who loved his family, life, and his Creator. May he rest in peace as he surely will.
Dear Nancy and family,
Don was always someone to look up to and admire all the good that he did and stood for.
In this difficult time, I hope and pray to celebrate his life and all the good times and Holidays we spent together as close cousins over several decades. May Don rest in the peace of the Lord.
Dear Nancy and family,
Please accept our prayers and our sympathy in the passing of Don. May you find comfort in your many memories. Judy & Mike Perrotti
Dear Nancy and family, Our deepest sympathy in the loss of your husband, father and grandfather. Enjoy the your precious memories. share them often. May he rest in peace.
Dear Nancy and family, I was so saddened to hear of Don’s passing. I know he’s been ill for a long time and that now he’s at home resting in the arms of our Lord. I pray that God will give you comfort and peace in this difficult time. Treasure the memories of your times together. God bless you.
It’s with a heavy heart that I learned of Don’s passing. Thoughts and prayers to his family. He will be missed by so many. May he rest in peace.
Dear Nancy and family, I was saddened to hear of Don’s passing . My Sincere Sympathy, May you have comfort knowing he is resting in the arms of Our Lord. The Lord said unto him, Well done my Good and Faithful Servant.
Dear Nancy @ family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. May God give you his loving peace and comfort .
Nancy, Dave, Dan and families,
My sincere sympathy in your loss of spouse, parent and grandpa. I have fond memories of Don. His skill in working with young people is admirable. I vividly remember riding with him to Erie for a basketball game Kev and Dave played in. Always an avid sports fan. You will always have fond memories and that’s what will help you deal with this loss.
Dear Nancy ~ I was so saddened to read of your husband’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. With deepest sympathy ~ Barb
Sorry to hear about Don. Both of you will be in our prayers.
Dear Nancy and family,
I am so sorry to read of the loss of your husband and father. He was such a kind man. I remember one early morning my car got stuck at the end of my driveway in a pile of snow/ice . He was out snow-blowing and came right over to clear it out for me. Such a good neighbor. Such a good man. May he rest in peace.
Dear Nancy and Family – so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. We’re all praying for you and your family during this difficult time. You were both blessed to have a great life together and raise such a wonderful family. Don was so proud of you, his children and grand children. Don was like a rock – so well grounded in his family, faith, country and traditions. A true Patriot. I’m going to miss his stories, sense of humor and his wise counsel.
Nancy,
I am deeply saddened to learn of loss. I am so sorry! It was such a pleasure getting to visit with you and Don at your Mom’s funeral. I feel very lucky to have shared that time, albeit brief, with you two. Please know that Carolyn and I will keep you and your wonderful family in our thoughts and prayers.