Obituary of Donald James Toro Sr.

Donald James Toro was born in Wyandotte, Michigan on September 9, 1957.   He was the son of the late Joseph Toro and the late Marie (Merrill) Toro.   Donny was raised in a Catholic home, extremely proud of his Hungarian-Irish Heritage.   He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1976.   Donny then married the love of his life the former Sherrie Bailey on March 15, 1977 in Toledo.  

While serving his country, Donald would rise to the rank of E-3.   He would leave the military in 1979 to return home to care for his ailing mother.   Donny was blessed with two children:  Donald II and Alicia.   He enjoyed working with his hands and was a self-proclaimed “Jack of All Trades, and Master of None”.   He had been employed as a driver for five years at the Monroe County Opportunity Program (MCOP) before medically retiring in 2009.

Donny loved to be outdoors and was an avid hunter until his health declined to the point the he no longer was able to.   His favorite place to be was in Northern Michigan.   He also was quite passionate about his motorcycle, loving to ride, and feel the wind on his face.   He was a past member of ABATE.

Donald was a member of Monroe Missionary Baptist Church.   He was quick-witted and funny.   A fan of all his hometown Michigan teams.   He loved his family explicitly.   Donny loved to meet new people and had even commented that he only met a stranger once.

Donald James Toro, age 61, of Monroe passed away unexpectedly at 6:35pm on Sunday, January 20, 2019 at his home.   In addition to his parents his passing was preceded by a grandson:  Logan; two brothers: Gerard Toro Sr. and William Toro; a nephew:  Randall George Toro; and a great nephew:  Gerard “Randy” Randall Toro.

To cherish his memory Donny leaves his beloved wife of forty-one years:  Sherrie Toro of Monroe; two children:  Donald (Jennifer) Toro II of North Carolina and Alicia Toro of Monroe; four siblings:  Butch (Kris) Toro of Monroe, Daniel (Marcia) Toro of Monroe, Colleen (Dennis) Hebert of Monroe, and Michael (Debi) Toro of Atlanta, Michigan; eight step-siblings; grandchildren:  Owen, Kaylie, Kaylynne, Autumn, A.J., Amber, Theron, Billy, Evan, and Brooke; two sisters-in-law: Robin Toro and Pam Toro; two beloved dogs:  Jabba and Molly.

Friends may gather from 10:00am until 2:00pm on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street (734) 384-5185.   A Celebration of His Life will follow at 2:00pm with Pastor Roy Southerland of Monroe Missionary Baptist Church officiating.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Toro family in care of Merkle Funeral Service to assist with funeral arrangements.   Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.