"He was a good man": Phil Donato pays tribute to his dad Luciano

Luciano Donato. Facebook.

By Peter Holmes

State MP Phil Donato is mourning the death of his father Luciano, who passed away on Saturday night.

Known by many as Louie, he had been ill for several months.

Donato paid tribute to his dad on social media.

"Although we knew this day was coming, it’s still always hard, and a surreal feeling now that he is no longer with us," he wrote.

"Dad always worked extremely hard supporting his family so that we never went without and provided for us.

"He loved nothing better then spending time with his grandkids and great grand kids who always had a smile and a laugh and good times with them."

Donato said his dad "never complained" and died at home.

"[He] went out on his own terms ... even sneaking a couple of cigarettes in!"

Louie Donato had a knack for growing fruit and vegetables, a skill, his son wrote, "from his upbringing as a market gardener on the family farm, and being in the family fruit shop business for over 30 years".

"He was a good man and will be sadly missed," Donato said.

In his inaugural speech to state parliament in February 2017 Donato said: "My parents Luciano and Maria ... co-owned a fruit shop, Donato’s Fruit Market, in partnership with my Uncle Frank and Aunty Grace in Chester Hill for 35 years".

He thanked his parents "for their steadfast support and unconditional love all my life. I don’t think they ever imagined witnessing me delivering this speech to you all now in this place".

Donato is currently recuperating from a boating accident.