Donald V. Sartore of Greenville, SC, passed away on October 22, 2024, at age 96. He was born in Elmwood Park, IL to Victor Sartore and Mary (Podeschi) Sartore. He was predeceased by sister Gloria Accorsi and his loving wife of 62 years, Jean. He is survived by sons, David and Stephen, as well as his brother Eugene and sister Mary Bruno, and many dearly loved nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Don and Jean were blessed throughout their years together in homes in Elmwood Park, St. Paul, Kansas City and Naples, and treasured the many new friends they made at each location. Don had served 6 years as president of various homeowners associations where he and Jean lived. They loved to travel, including trips to Canada, Mexico, Italy, and many Hawaii vacations, and a special trip out West with his brother and sisters and their spouses.
Don graduated from University of Illinois at Urbana with a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering. He was also made a member of the Civil Engineering Honorary Fraternity, Chi Epsilon, and the All Engineering Honorary Fraternity, Sigma Tau, and he completed the 55th Advanced Management Program (AMP) at Harvard.
He began his career as a draftsman in the Bridge Department of Burlington Railroad in July 1949 and was promoted through various positions to become Chief Engineering Officer of Burlington Lines Railroads in May 1966. Upon the merger of four railroads in March 1970, Don was appointed Chief Engineer Design-Structures of Burlington Northern Railroad. He was a Registered Structural Engineer and Registered Professional Engineer.
For over 60 years Don was active in the American Railroad Engineering Association (AREA). He served on the Board of Directors for 11 years, was elected President for the normal 1-year term, and was also elected an Honorary Member. He was named Member Emeritus of 2 technical committees for which he served and chaired. Don was also active in, and served as chairman of, other railroad engineering groups. Although he had many personal accomplishments in his career, he always felt his greatest contribution to the industry was a successful recruiting and training of young graduate engineers, many of whom went on to top level railroad engineering careers.
Don was given loving care in his final years in Greenville by The Gardens at Eastside assisted living, Cornerstone Caregiving, and Wren Hospice. A funeral mass for Don will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Taylorville, Illinois with Fr. John Burnette officiating. The visitation will be held one hour prior to the service and the burial will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery in Taylorville immediately following the mass. Memorial donations to Parkinson’s Association in lieu of flowers are appreciated. McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements.
