Dr. Donald Van Damia

Dr. Donald Nicholas Van Damia, age 83, of Warren, Pennsylvania passed away on Monday, April 11, 2022.

Donald was born June 7, 1938 in Erie, PA, the son of Guy and Helen (DiPlacido) Van Damia. He graduated from Academy High School and went on to attend Gannon College as a student of Pre-Medicine. He received his Medical Degree at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine, graduating with the class of 1965. He completed his residency in family medicine at Hamot Medical Center in Erie. 

Following his residency, Donald was a Military Medical Officer, serving as a physician for the U.S. Army from 1966-1968. He founded Millcreek Family Practice and was a beloved doctor and caregiver in the Erie community for over 30 years. He served a term as the President of the Erie County Medical Society, and was on numerous boards including the Gannon-Hahnemann University Selection Committee, which he was particularly fond of. His love for and dedication to medicine was driven by empathy and compassion.

Donald was an avid trumpet player throughout his life and he shared his love of music with his children and grandchildren. He often said that music was the best medicine for the mind. He loved hunting, boating, fishing, golf, and the New York Yankees, but his greatest joy was his family. He raised five children in Millcreek with his wife of 45 years, Jeannette (Thompson) Van Damia, who passed away in 2004. He cherished his time living on the Allegheny River after his retirement. 

He went on to marry Patricia Danielson, with whom he lived out his retirement happily between Warren, PA and Dunedin, FL. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather by his family, and as a noble man by all those who knew him.

Besides his parents, and his first wife, Jeanette (Thompson) Van Damia; he was preceded in death by his brothers Anthony and Guy Van Damia.

He is survived by his wife Patricia (Danielson) Van Damia; his children, Michael (Halle) Van Damia, Susan (Carl) Lechner, Karen (Eric) Kish, Sharon (Damon) Prenovitz, and Jeanine Kilgore; his step-children, Todd (Donna) Danielson, Troy (Jane) Danielson, and Amy (Michael) Stimmell; as well as his sister, Mary Rohan, and two brothers Nicholas (Beverly) Van Damia and David Van Damia. He is further survived by 18 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Burton Quinn Scott Cremation & Funeral Services Downtown, 602 W. 10^th St. Erie on Friday, April 22, 2022 from 3:00-7:00 pm and are invited to a Prayer Service there on Saturday at 9:30 am followed by a Funeral Mass in St. George Catholic Church, 5145 Peach St at 10:00 am. Burial will be in Mary, Queen of Peace Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN, 38105 or Erie Zoological Society, 423 W 38th St, Erie, PA 16508.

Condolence can be sent to www.BurtonQuinnScott.com.