Bishop Donato, Hudson County vicar, dies

COUNTY – Bishop Gaetano “Thomas” Donato, a Jersey City native and a priest at three Catholic parishes in Bayonne, succumbed to cancer on Aug. 25.
Donato, 74, was the vicar of Hudson County and the pastor of St. Henry Church in Bayonne.
He served at St. Vincent DePaul Church in Bayonne and later at Our Lady of the Assumption in Bayonne. He also served at churches in Ramsey and Livingston.
Donato was honored for his 50 years in the priesthood in May with a Mass at St. Henry’s and a reception in Clifton.
It was at St. Henry’s that he received his elevation to the position of regional bishop.
“He was very respected and loved by his friends and parishioners,” said a longtime acquaintance. “He was a very compassionate man. His passing is a big loss to the Catholic community.”
Donato would have turned 75 on Oct. 1.