Lansdale Doctor, Volunteer Medic, Beloved Resident Dead At 90

LANSDALE, PA - Emergency workers in Lansdale mourned the loss of one of their own on Tuesday.

Michael Onorato, MD, a Life Member and Chairman Emeritus at the Volunteer Medical Service Corps of Lansdale, recently passed away.

He was a member of the Corps for over 75 years.

In 1978, he was bestowed with the honor of Life Member.

Obituary courtesy Huff & Lakjer Funeral Home - Lansdale:

Dr. Michael L. Onorato of Lansdale Dr. Michael L. Onorato, 90, a longtime resident of Lansdale, passed away in the presence of his family Thursday, December 17, 2015.

He was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Rita E. (Petti) Onorato, who died November 20, 2006.

Born June 7, 1925 in Philadelphia, he was a son of the late Luigi and Lucia (Tavaglione) Onorato. He was a graduate of Lansdale High School and St. Joseph’s University and received his Doctorate of Optometry from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1953. Dr. Onorato practiced Optometry until his retirement in 1985 with offices in Lansdale and Folcroft, PA.

Dr. Onorato was a member of the Volunteer Medical Services Corps for over 75 years. He was bestowed with the honor of Life Membership in 1978. In his early service with the Corps, he was in charge of various departments and worked his way up the chain of command, becoming VMSC Commander in 1966. He held the position of President of VMSC from 1967 to 1970.

He was appointed Chairman of the Board of the VMSC in 1975. He held that position until 2013, at which time he was honored with the title of Chairman Emeritus. Along with his wife, Dr. Onorato was a longtime member and Past President of the Rythmic Society. His hobbies included cycling, surf fishing in Cape May, and singing.

A jack-of-all-trades, Dr. Onorato was also a skilled woodworker and craftsman. He cherished the time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Dr. Onorato is survived by four children, Renita E. Ziman and her husband, Meyer, of Scottsdale, AZ, Michael L. Onorato and his wife, Daria, of Burlington, NJ, David C. Onorato, Esquire and his wife, Kathleen, of Lansdale, and Daniel C. Onorato of Santa Barbara, CA; and four grandchildren, Eric Onorato (Andrea) of Dayton, OH, Michael Ziman of Scottsdale, Alexandra Ziman of New York City, and Lucia Onorato of Lansdale. He was preceded in death by his brother, Salvatore Onorato; and sister, Dr. Anna Onorato Rothman.

Relatives and friends may call between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. Monday, December 21, 2015 at Huff & Lakjer Funeral Home, 701 Derstine Ave., Lansdale.

A second visitation will be held between 10:30 and 11:15 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home followed by the Funeral Service at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Lansdale. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations in his memory to the Volunteer Medical Service Corps of Lansdale (VMSC), 1975 Medical Campus Drive, Lansdale, PA 19446.