Mike Antonio Dorato
October 27, 1923 ~ October 6, 2012
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Mike Antonio Dorato, 89, of Asheville, died Saturday, October 6, 2012.
Mr. Dorato was born in Buncombe County and was a son of the late Antonio and Nellie Stroup Dorato. He was also preceded in death by his son, Bud Dorato, a brother, Bob Dorato, and a sister-in-law, Mary Dorato, and a brother-in-law, Bob Magnan.
He was a member of the last graduating class of Swannanoa High School and attended college in Kentucky before joining the military during WW II. He was stationed in Ipswich, England with the Army Air Corps where he was a link trainer (instrument landing).
Mr. Dorato was the co-owner with his brother, Frank, of Dorato Motors, Inc.
He was a member of Victory Baptist Church, the American Legion and the VFW, and was a 32nd degree member of the Swannanoa Masonic Lodge 0561. He was also a charter member of the Lions Club.
Surviving are his wife, Elouise Clark Dorato; two daughters, Sharon Williams and husband, Leonard, of Charlotte, and Susan Fox and husband, Dennis, of Raleigh; a son, Michael Dorato of the home; three grandchildren, Patrick, Michelenna, and Alexandria; four great-grandchildren, Catherine, Emily, Dru and Natalie Grace; a sister, Margaret Magnan, a brother, Frank Dorato, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 3:00 P.M. Tuesday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Revs. Mark Chase and Larry Sprinkle officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Green Hills Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to the Meals Program of Victory Baptist Church, 80 Olivette Road, Asheville, NC 28806.
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Elouise and Little Mike,and rest of the family….Heaven has gained another great asset, our loss but heaven’s gain….I will truly miss Mike, I love you guys dearly, and always have, and always will. i always enjoyed our conversations and visits, he is a great man, and friend….please know that we are praying for you during this difficult time, and we love you.
Jason, April, Chance, Aiden, and Rylan Honeycutt
Elouise, Michael and I were sad to hear about Mike’s passing. We love you and your family and we are praying for God’s comfort. ♥
I express my deepest condolences to the family for your loss. Please take comfort in the bible’s promise of the time when tears, death and pain will be no more. (Rev.21:3,4) May you continue to rely on Jehovah God and his word the bible during your time of grief.
Eliose and family: You are in my thoughts and prayers during this time of grief. We know that Mike is in a much better place even though he will missed terribly. May God wrap you in his arms and forever hold you close. Love to family. Cathy Robinson
Eloise ~ you and little Mike are in our thoughts and prayers.
Charlie and Miriam Metcalf and Elizabeth Myers
What a good man was Mike. I’m praying for the family during this time.
You are in our thoughts and prayers. We know Mike is rejoicing in heaven.
Dear Elouise, Margaret, Frank and Families:
We are so sorry for your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. We love you all.
Sharon and family, We were sorry to hear of your fathers passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
I first met Mike as I delivered water to Heartpath – it was just a chance meeting in the parking lot – and guess it was the Italian blood that made us share so openly. Mike just touched my heart with his kindness, I would slip and call him Frank a couple times, he didn’t mind, I also met you Elouise and young Mike at grocery store one day, do you remember? Anyhow I am sure Mike knew lots of people, his kindness touched many lives, what a good man! May your memories sustain you and know my caring feelings are with you all. Connie
Eloise, you and the family have our prayers at this time of loss. We love you all very much and will join you in missing Mike. we’ll see Mike and Bud one day and enjoy all the good times. I love you guys dearly!! GOD bless,
Dear Elouise and Michael, we cannot begin to tell you how sorry we are. We loved Mike dearly and were honored to be his friends. He was a wonderful person and we will miss him more than we could ever tell you. Our hearts are so heavy because we are not there, but please know that we love you and Michael and you are in our prayers.
I will miss this lovely and kind member of Victory Baptist Church. Heaven is singing it’s praises that he has come home.
Indeed Mike Dorato was a gentle and kind man. He will be missed by many. The world is a better place because of Mike. I am blessed to have known him in business and as a friend. Carl Winkler
We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Dorato. He was such a kind and generous man to our family. We pray that God will be with you during this difficult time.
So sorry for your family’s loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time. Earl and Mike were great friends. They loved fishing together and I know they are up there talking about old times. God Bless you all. Chris Parris, Jenny and Dewey Barbee
Our hearts go out to you during this difficult time. May you be comforted by sweet memories.
Dear Elouise,
I am so sorry for your loss. I remember sweet times with your family as though they happened yesterday and have thought of you fondly many times over the years. Like Tom Rhodes mentioned, we will see Mike and Bud one day in heaven. Prayers sent up for God’s peace for you, Sharon, Susan, and Michael. With much love, Paula